By Bella Diaz
Today’s world requires students to grasp more than just math and science. Educational schools have a responsibility to provide their students with essential abilities that support one throughout the course of their lives. Here are three crucial abilities: financial literacy, mental health awareness, and cooking. Several of these abilities are so important, yet they are scarcely even mentioned, let alone taught. Explaining to students the importance of these three life skills would be a great step toward enhancing their overall wellbeing as future adults.
Let’s begin with financial literacy. This means comprehending the management of funds. Many high schoolers finish high school without any knowledge of budgeting, saving, or investing. If they learn about financial literacy in schools, they might make better decisions related to money. For instance, schools should teach students how to create a budget. This type of learning extends to the intelligent usage of funds in ways that allow for discretion, helping one avoid going into debt. Other things like how to pay for housing and how to do taxes would also prove beneficial.
Young people should also be taught about the importance of savings. This might involve setting realistic short term goals that lead up to significant long term achievements, such as purchasing a vehicle or paying for a college education. When paying for costly items on credit, one could know about responsible usage of credit and know when to pay off debts.
Another important topic that should be taught in schools is mental health. Countless students face mental health issues, but far too many don’t even know they have one. Many schools don’t offer up many solutions or even broach the subject. I think Benicia High School does a good job with mental health, actually. We have the Wellness Center, presentations during access about mental health, counselors to talk to, and lots of social resources to help. Unfortunately, a lot of other schools don’t do as much as BHS and often put mental health aside.
I would also like to request more cooking classes in schools. It is not enough to just know how to make some simple dishes. You must also learn to make a few kinds of healthy meals, too. For the students who live in dorm rooms and share a kitchen with several other students, or for the student who lives at home and has only a limited amount of kitchen space, cooking actual meals may sound nearly impossible. But with cooking class, it would probably be easier on these young adults.
Educational institutions need to start instructing practical life skills essential for leading successful lives, such as managing one’s finances, understanding the principles of good mental health, and basic cooking. Schools are entrusted with the serious responsibility of preparing young people to face the many challenges life throws at them. It is time that they took that responsibility seriously and seized the opportunity to give practical, common sense courses that would serve students in their futures.
beniciapaw.com 