When Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Board examination paper pattern for 10th standard for 2009-10 has been reviewed, with the ratio of marks for descriptive type questions and multiple choice questions, parents and teachers of those students studying in govt. schools across the state was anxious, let alone students on how they will cope with the new pattern. However for Gururaj kulkarni studying in GJC govt. school in peenya, Bangalore, there was no such fear because Gururaj has already undergone training in Akshaya Life skills programme in his school which was initiated by Akshaya Patra with the support of public instruction department and Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagare Palike ( BBMP) in which he learned how to face the examinations more confidently, When the SSLC results were out, Gururaj made his school proud by scoring 92.48% marks.
The program equips students with skills,values and attitudes to face the challenges and demands of everyday life. Besides the programme is also planned on the basis of WHO recommendations of 10 life skills. He attribute the success to the Akshaya Life skill programme “I am thankful for the school authorities to consider Akshaya Life skills programme, the learning’s from the programme has been so crucial, that it made all the difference to me as well as my results” Gururaj who now enrolled in a science stream wanted to pursue Mechanical engineering at IIT.
It is not just Gururaj alone who has benefited from life skills programme, Misba, from Maharani Girl’s school from Mysore showers praise and is elated with getting 548 marks. “Akshaya life skills have changed my life” remarked Misba.
This year over 160 students of class X in Akshaya Life skills (ALS ) schools have scored more than 80 percent in the SSLC exams. In the last academic year, only four students of ALS schools had achieved distinction, whereas this year there has been a sweeping increase of 34 students from ALS schools who scored distinction.
By observing the statistical data of past SSLC passed-out children, comparatively this year overall Board results has decreased to 6.66% from 2009 to 2010. Whereas, the pass-out of SSLC exam, Akshaya Life Skills school children in the year 2008 – 09 to 2009 – 10 has increased to 1.46%.
40.000 students across the state of Karnataka have been benefitted from the Akshaya Life skills programme.The program has also extended its support to a few orphanage and special homes in the state.
Kanakeshwari a teacher from Mysore govt. school who has been a strong advocate for such life skills programme in government schools feels, while academic learning is important, the motivational parameters play a very crucial role in bringing-out the best amongst these socially less privileged children. She says “It could be considered as the study skills programme conducted is one of the factors which motivated the children to upgrade their results”
The Importance of learning life skills in schools is often over looked by the government says sultan, MD of Edu media who conducts the Akshaya Life skills. Why it becomes crucial is because, life skills-based education is being adopted as a means to empower young people in challenging situations. Sultan further adds Life skills should and need to be taught in a child’s life for him or her to become a well-formed educated individual. He further states that “children learn the academics in school and the life skill helps them to apply what they have learned to their everyday life”.
Recognizing the critical importance of these skills, 164 nations committed to Education For all have included life skills as an essential learning outcome for all adolescents and young people. Today, life skills education is offered as part of the formal school curriculum in at least 70 developing countries.
The life skill model is based on WHO recommendations of 10 Life skills. Sessions are facilitated through interactive games, real life examples, role play, theatre, debate and discussions. Several pertinent issues like drugs, alcoholism. The program also helps children understand their inner potentials claims the felicitators.
Though the government spent crores of rupees in the field of education in India, on the ground this has not had the desired impact among students alleges sultan.
With the success of Akshaya Life skills having a visible impact, Shoba Karandlaje, former minister and present MLA from Yeshwanthapura constituency in Bangalore has come forward to implement the Akshaya Life skills programme in all the government schools in her constituency. She is also personally funding the same. She says the students studying in government schools have the wrong notion of feeling inferior to someone studying in a private school. “There are times when even teachers have a similar opinion about themselves.” “Programmes such as these reinforce confidence among students and help them to remain focused. It also helps in their holistic development and makes them responsible citizens”
