Life Skills Education in Sri Lanka - Secondary School Level

Life Skills education in Sri Lanka is an integral part of the secondary school curriculum, aiming to equip students with essential skills for navigating the challenges of modern life. While not a standalone subject with a distinct syllabus, Life Skills principles are woven into various subjects and programs. Several organizations and initiatives also contribute to Life Skills development in Sri Lankan schools.

Key Themes and Topics:

• Self-Awareness and Self-Esteem: Building confidence, self-worth, and a positive self-image. Understanding personal strengths and weaknesses, and developing resilience.
• Interpersonal Skills and Relationships: Effective communication, empathy, active listening, and building healthy relationships with peers, family, and community members.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Analyzing situations, evaluating information, making informed decisions, and finding solutions to challenges.
• Decision Making and Goal Setting: Setting realistic goals, making responsible choices, and developing action plans.
• Coping with Stress and Emotions: Managing stress, understanding and expressing emotions constructively, and developing coping mechanisms for challenging situations.
• Health and Well-being: Maintaining physical and mental health, including sexual and reproductive health, and making healthy lifestyle choices.
• Citizenship and Social Responsibility: Understanding rights and responsibilities, participating in community service, and contributing to society.
• Career Development and Employability Skills: Exploring career options, developing job-related skills, and preparing for the workforce.

Organizations and Initiatives:

• Learn for Life Lanka: Develops and implements Life Skills programs for teenagers, focusing on social and emotional learning.
• Room to Read: Creates Life Skills curricula for secondary schools, with a focus on gender equality and 21st-century skills.
• UNICEF: Supports Life Skills education programs in Sri Lanka, particularly those addressing violence prevention and resilience building.
• UNDP: Collaborates on initiatives to develop Life Skills modules and train instructors for secondary schools.

This information provides a general overview of Life Skills education in Sri Lankan secondary schools. For more specific details, it is recommended to consult with individual schools or educational institutions.