“The great aim of education is not knowledge but action." Herbert Spencer
Oriental College family strongly believes that education is not merely acquirement of knowledge but also of values which help us improve the different facets of mankind. For the first time since its inception, the college is starting a new program apart from the academic program, Life Skills and Personality Development, for all classes starting from Cl. 11 to BA/B.Com 6th Semester. This program has been initiated with the primary objective of helping the students to achieve academic excellence as well as impart other vital skills that a person needs to lead healthy, successful and enriching lives.
The world over, including Nagaland, advancement in technology and modernity has impacted lives in so many different spheres. Along with all the comforts and improved lifestyle that modern education has brought about, sadly, we are also seeing an increase in social unrest all around us. We see disillusioned youth, rampant unemployment, increased frustration and distrust in the system, corruption, etc even among the so called educated people, who are in fact supposed to be shining examples and paving the way for younger generation for a better future. It is a sad fact that in Nagaland, even after having spent 16 – 18 years or more in schools and colleges, many of our ‘educated’ young men and women are not leading successful lives; rather many have become a burden to the society. This, despite the fact that parents sacrifice so much of their time and money to send their children to the best schools and colleges with the hope that one day my daughter(s)/my son(s) will not only get a decent job, be successful in her/his personal and professional life but also a contributing member of the society.
Seeing all these problems, the college has decided that it has become imperative to introduce Life Skills as part of the college curriculum so that along with the parents and students themselves, we will all work together and put in a collective effort to mould out children and equip them with the knowledge and skills that are needed to lead healthy lives: emotionally, physically and mentally. I firmly believe that if a student takes up this program seriously with a proactive attitude, it will have far reaching impact in so many different ways directly and indirectly. But it must be noted that this will be beneficial only if one views the program with sincere desire to improve oneself and not as something which has been forced on them.
In today’s competitive world, the job market is full of competent and educated job seekers. What will be the deciding factor for an employer to select one candidate over another when both have the same qualification and work experiences would be a persons attitude, values and ‘21st century skills’ such as adaptability, inter personal skills, communication skills, eagerness to learn, etc which schools and colleges have sadly failed to teach.
Objectives of the program:
- The primary objective of life skills training is to promote personal development that will promote confidence and well-being of young people.
- Helping the young people to be more assertive, communicate effectively by developing good listening skills
- Learn to handle stress and deal with challenges and setbacks
- Mold their attitude and beliefs positively
- Encourage the students know about God. To mold and direct them towards discovering their true identity derived from their creator, therefore being an asset instead of being a liability in the society.
- Encourage young people to think, act and live independently.
- Equip young people to make rational decisions with regard to health, career and relationships which will benefit themselves and others.