PANAJI
Despite the challenges of the pandemic students aged 14-15 got the opportunity to learn important life skills like communication, research and leadership through an initiative of the Goa Livelihoods Forum, an NGO working in the field along with Cognitive Exchange (USA).
The community-based programme that has been rolled out in certain locations of Goa is designed to help the students become active participants in their community by teaching them key life skills that are not taught in a traditional classroom.
The students have gained confidence in speaking situations, unbelievable spontaneity in interviews, improved writing and broad-based, diverse perspectives.
Goa Livelihoods Forum (GLF) powered by FIDR in partnership is implementing a unique community-based program to help students gain speech and debate skills in a global format and relevance.
“Essentially these are the skills that lead to a better and more engaged society and not only hard skills. We see this as a mission and as one of a privilege and a responsibility, and we learn the impact of these skills from none other than those with whom we teach and train and their entire ecosystem,” the Goa Livelihoods Forum said in a press note.
The programme was rolled out on a pilot basis to test the interest levels of the students and try out the outcomes of the project.
“Everyone, irrespective of age or social status should have the fundamental skills of argumentation and debate. Once the students graduate from the basic classes, they would be moved to the advanced courses for both speech and debate,” Asha Vernekar the Secretary of the Goa Livelihoods Forum, said.
