School provides a basic educational structure to a child, which helps him/her

throughout the life. It plays a crucial role in all round development. Education System
has itself observed a great transformation over the centuries. Earlier, ‘Gurukul
System’ was followed in Indian Aryan history, where the student used to live with the
teacher and learns all necessary skills and gains insight and knowledge. Now,
education is much more formal and structured. But modern education lacks in many
aspects of all-round development of the child, including important aspect of skill and
personality development. We all are so much busy in teaching mathematics, science,
literature, and social sciences to our children that they are nothing but bookworms.
They might excel in school but fail in life as they lack in many essential aspects
required for survival in this modern world.

“To develop a complete mind: Study the science of art; Study the art of science. Learn how
to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” – Leonardo Da Vinci.

Let’s start with those skills which are very important for personality development. But
when it comes to learning these skills, the education system largely avoids a large
population of students. Only those students who are predisposed in the skill or are
extroverted in their efforts are only ones to bear the fruits.

"When it comes to self-defense, it is better to have the power and not need it than to need it
and not have it." – Jim Rohn.

1. Effective communication – Communication is the most crucial aspect of both

personal and workplace development. What differentiates a leader from the
follower is the way you express your emotions and information to others. In
personal life, communication helps to resolve relationship problems, with
clarity and direction. It also increases one’s awareness about himself and the
surrounding. In professional setting, it helps in building trust in employees,
promoting teamwork and increasing productivity. Effective communication
includes both verbal and non-verbal part, and there are strategies to develop
both. Such techniques and strategies should be taught in school for the life.
“The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn’t being said.”
- Peter Drucker.
2. Public Speaking – Public speaking is a deciding factor in one’s career,
education and even the personal life. Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that
people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people
will never forget how you made them feel.” This is the power of public
speaking. It is power to influence, to move and to change. Apart for impacting
others, it changes you, provides self-confidence and opens a ton of possibilities.
It is also good for workplace environment, leading to successful career.
Schools should encourage each student to participate in activities around public
speaking.
3. Group work - “Let me tell you something about wolves, child. When the
snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives.”
This dialogue from Game of Thrones speaks volumes of importance of group
work. But it is not an easy task. It leads to development of enormous skills, like
leadership, communication, decision-making and conflict revolution. All of
them are important for career of the individual, as most of us work around
people. Schools should encourage more and more group activities for students.
4. Emotional Intelligence – Emotional Intelligence (EI) the capacity to be aware
of, control, and express one's emotions, and to handle interpersonal
relationships judiciously and empathetically. Goleman said, “the part of the
brain which supports emotional and social intelligence is the last circuitry of
the brain to become anatomically mature and because of neuroplasticity, the
brain shapes itself according to repeated experience.” When you are self-aware
and self-satisfied, it will help to bring healthy relations with others. Researches
have shown that EI is best developed in childhood. The school should promote
activities develop EI.
“If your emotional abilities aren't in hand, if you don't have self-awareness, if you
are not able to manage your distressing emotions, if you can't have empathy and
have effective relationships, then no matter how smart you are, you are not going to
get very far.” -Daniel Goleman.
 5. Self Defense - "When it comes to self-defense, it is better to have the power
and not need it than to need it and not have it." Self-defense is not the
preparation for war. It is the preparation to save yourself when it comes.
Initially, it helps you to prevent yourself from physical danger and difficult
situations. But it is much more. It teaches you discipline, dedication and a
whole new perspective. It is the responsibility of the schools to teach the
students various skills to defend oneself. They should approach proper classes
and inspire sports and activities which keeps one fit and active.

These skills are very important for the overall development of the child. It will ensure
the success in life and the career. Academics are the main ingredients for a good
career, but these are the necessary catalyst which cannot be avoided. Along with these
skills, there are several other things the school have excluded in their curriculum. It is
discussed it in next edition of this article.