Life skill training for Odisha teachers to help students

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar, June 9: The Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste Development Department of Odisha Government is undertaking series of training programmes for teachers to ensure safety and wellbeing of students in tribal residential schools.The State Government has partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for providing the Life Skills Education programme for students in the tribal schools.Around 800 teachers are being trained during this summer vacation of whom 600 have already been trained to transact life skills education in schools.The trained teachers’ in turn will conduct sessions for students having a particular theme each month during the academic session.Around 170 ANMs posted in the residential schools have also been trained on health screening, treatment of minor ailments, prompt referral and dealing with adolescent health issues in partnership with UNFPA.Life skills are abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable individuals to deal effectively with demands and challenges of life.The objective of programme is not only to impart knowledge for better adolescent health, hygiene, nutrition, wellbeing and responsible behavior, but also to instill skills amongst students for better communication, negotiation and social skills.This is expected to ensure an informed and safer growing up process where students are able to effectively handle critical situations in their lives. Earlier this year the department had issued comprehensive guidelines on safety and security of students in schools and is following up with district level sensitization programmes for all district level supervisory officers and heads of schools.Effort on all fronts by the department is expected to bring about a positive change in the school environment.Introducing life skills education program is another welcome step which aims at promoting healthier growing up process and ensuring safety and security of the students.