Gargi Dhingra
6 min readApr 21, 2024

Beyond Academics: The Importance of Life Skills in Pehchaan The Street School’s Curriculum

While academics are often seen as the pinnacle of success, today’s world places greater value on practical skills, emotional intelligence, and creativity. Education is crucial, but there’s a growing recognition that real-world abilities are equally important. This understanding extends beyond classroom learning, acknowledging the vast opportunities for growth outside traditional education settings. Unfortunately, not everyone has equal access to educational opportunities or the skills necessary for holistic development. Underprivileged children face even greater challenges, with education often being their only hope.

The non provision of education has resulted in a deprived lifestyle of the citizens. The reason can be the social stigmas existing within the minds such as gender inequality, social evils such as child labour, domestic violence and the gap between rich and poor. These differences highlight the inequitable distribution of educational opportunities, such as disparities existing in rural and urban areas. It has been always seen that rural areas are deprived of even the basic necessities required to survive. The hygiene, sanitation facilities and education are the major cutbacks applied over the faces of the equal world. As the rural areas mark the marginalized communities which are not provided with quality education. Many children are discriminated against, are limited towards their access to education, schools and other resources. They are unaware of the consequences of being stuck within these cycles of social evils. Their smiles have been restricted to the dark showers.

Still the awareness towards the importance of education still lacks within many societies. As a part of this globe, we must understand that we are the people who have to work towards making the world a better place to live by spreading awareness towards a cause that can become the biggest factor in transforming lives. Organizing workshops in rural areas, collaborating with different organizations, engaging with different communities, by utilizing social media etc. Many governmental policies and communities talk about the necessity of education and they have even started working on it. They wish to create a society where each one of us is filled with a life of opportunities and facilities that no one can take away from us. Many people have understood the responsibility of educating children.

Providing knowledge is a part of give and take within life. The more you impart wisdom, the more you get in return. Education has become the essentiality of life which is never ending, it is a catalyst in creating a road that is free of hurdles or obstacles. It makes an individual’s life easier, knowing their capabilities and skills. These skills hone an individual to use education as their sole weapon to steal the world’s opportunities. It fosters leadership qualities that enhance one’s mind by helping them communicate effectively and develop the required skills and drive a positive change. The most important aspect to deal with the real world is building adaptability. The more an individual becomes adaptable to any surroundings or other individuals, the more the children become a better person. It even aids a person to be empathetic, have proper emotional intelligence to deal with the emotions that one encounters due to real life challenges and setbacks, contributing to a satisfied livelihood. In a constantly evolving world, education has become a necessity to experience endless opportunities and develop skills, shaping their lives in profound ways and abilities to outperform others. Education is a gateway to knowledge and wisdom.

However, simply receiving education isn’t enough; they also need essential life skills. Many government initiatives aim to support underprivileged communities, but they often fall short in providing these critical skills. In contrast, Pehchaan The Street School, a Delhi-based NGO, has successfully addressed this gap. Pehchaan- The Street School is a non profit organization which focuses over the education of the underprivileged children and tries to impart wisdom through unique methods. It is ideally different in the ways of its teaching and interaction with the students. It does not follow the conventional methods of teaching, they go beyond classrooms! making learning a fun activity and making the lives of underprivileged children easier by giving them a hand to walk over the broken roads.

Pehchaan-The Street School emerges as a beacon of transformative hope, weaving empowerment and enlightenment for those ensnared in the shadows of poverty and ignorance. The contribution of any organization working for the welfare of the children without their own benefit is always an act of kindness that is done in regard with the betterment of others. Likewise, Pehchaan — The Street School assists students in building a future of their dreams and making their worlds a place of happiness without being devoid of any necessity. Education is one of the major tools of helping a person stepping on the righteous path for their own development. And this is the major goal of the organization, therefore giving students light in the dark.

They prioritize the development of crucial life skills alongside academic education. By doing so, they empower individuals to make informed decisions and thrive in society. While academic knowledge may fade over time, these life skills remain invaluable throughout one’s lifetime, requiring ongoing nurturing and refinement. Skills play a pivotal role in enabling individuals to navigate beyond the boundaries of conventional classroom learning and emerge as effective competitors. While classroom education undoubtedly lays the foundation for personal development, offering essential skills such as communication and problem-solving, it can also be limiting. Books, while rich sources of knowledge, sometimes constrain individuals’ thinking, inhibiting creativity and critical analysis. Nurturing one’s skills, empowers individuals to surpass the constraints of textbook knowledge and explore new avenues of thought and understanding. While schooling certainly provides individuals with foundational knowledge, it is the continuous process of lifelong learning that truly leads to success. Lifelong learning allows individuals to refine their existing skills and expertise across various domains of life, fostering personal and professional growth. Unfortunately, underprivileged children or sections of our society often lack access to even the most basic educational resources, depriving them of opportunities that should rightfully be theirs. Consequently, they find themselves grappling with the complexities of life without the necessary skills to navigate them. This lack of skill development exacerbates their situation, leaving them feeling dejected and unable to integrate into society’s fabric. Numerous institutions and non-governmental organizations have devised strategies to address this gap, aiming to empower underprivileged children by cultivating essential skills and unlocking their latent potential. These initiatives seek to kickstart the development of cognitive abilities and capabilities inherent in these individuals, providing them with the necessary support to showcase their talents and thrive. Learning is perpetual, unaffected by age, consistently enriching individuals. Yet, practical life necessitates moving beyond the confines of classroom education to broaden cognitive horizons. By independently exploring new realms of knowledge, individuals unveil their full potential, becoming competitive across diverse life domains. Prioritizing this personal growth fosters self-sufficiency and empowerment, mitigating long-term repercussions. Therefore, it is imperative to embrace this journey, transcending traditional educational boundaries, to reap substantial benefits in navigating life’s complexities.

Among the myriad contributors, Pehchaan The Street School stands out for its transformative efforts, particularly in empowering underprivileged children with vital skills and nurturing their innate potential. Through widespread initiatives, Pehchaan The Street School has played a pivotal role in enhancing the well-being and confidence of individuals, enabling them to thrive as active members of society. Pehchaan-The Street School takes a comprehensive approach to education by prioritizing the cultivation of essential skills that go beyond the confines of traditional textbook learning. They recognize the importance of engaging children in leisure activities like painting and music, which offer valuable opportunities for creativity, self-expression, and personal growth. By incorporating such activities, Pehchaan-The Street School aims to foster the holistic development of students. These experiences not only provide enjoyment but also help children develop important skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration. Moreover, participation in artistic endeavors can boost confidence, resilience, and emotional intelligence, all of which are essential for navigating life’s challenges and opportunities.Through these leisure activities, Pehchaan The Street School encourages children to explore their interests, discover their talents, and develop a sense of identity and purpose. By nurturing these aspects of their development, students are better equipped to make positive contributions to society and lead fulfilling lives. In essence, Pehchaan The Street School recognizes that education is not just about acquiring knowledge from textbooks but also about nurturing the whole child-mind, body, and spirit. By providing opportunities for creative expression and personal growth, they empower students to unlock their full potential and thrive in both their personal and academic endeavors. Your donations can make a tangible difference in the lives of these children, providing essential resources to support their education and holistic development beyond traditional learning materials. Join us in fostering positive change and inclusivity by investing in the future of these deserving individuals. For further insights into Pehchaan The Street School and its impactful contributions, please visit their website. There, you can delve into the intricate details of their endeavors and learn more about the significant changes they are affecting in the lives of underprivileged children. Explore their mission, programs, success stories, and ways to get involved in supporting their noble cause.

Visit their website today to discover how you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need-

https://pehchaanstreetschool.org