Education is an indispensable tool for the upbringing of youth in society, as well as the acquisition of learning skills at an early age is a youth pathway to thriving.
Moreover, research results indicate that pupils who attend school with specific early skills are more fortunate than their peers in terms of academic achievement in the future.
Simultaneously, young people’s early skills are gaining momentum and popularity in the field of public education, where education specialists and policymakers are studying various methods and techniques to bridge the gap in academic achievement in all countries of the world.
Growing studies and research assert future learning paths are often shaped during the early years of a person’s life, as young children learn substantial skills that serve as the foundation for their academic development, and primary experiences.
Moreover, the American Institute for Research (2021), stated that students may display academic and non-academic behaviours that predict their educational future as early as their school years. Such reports show that teachers can monitor several early skills in children to predict success or failure in their subsequent academic lives and then ultimately success. Even more so, considering that these early skills implicate adapting to changing situations, according to the Center on the Developing Youth (2022) there are five core skills that youth must have, as follows: Planning, being able to make concrete plans, carrying them out, and set and meet the goal. Focus, concentrating on what’s most important at any given time. Self-Control, controlling how to respond to emotions and stressful situations.
Awareness, noticing people and situations around them, and how they all fit into the picture. Flexibility, ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Therefore, it’s essential to inculcate these skills through the adoption of a comprehensive programme that is national in scope.
Formulating a learning plan for youth skills is the first step to enhancing the skills that aim to improve the understanding of what works for youth, the American Institute for Research (2021) has suggested three priorities for evidence building as follows: First and foremost, needed to partner with youth to learn with and from them about how to best support them on a path to opportunity and thriving. Second, understand better how to cost-effectively scale up and provide more programme options and services for opportunity youth, for instance: “Oman Entrepreneur System”, and “Youth Development Programs” in Oman-Finally, needed to expand the evidence base to study real-world settings and programmes, and apply more innovative research methods to use this information for rapid improvement. Some of these plans were implemented at the “Youth Centre” established by HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports, and Youth in 2021, to empower youth to effectively contribute to the comprehensive development within the context of Oman Vision 2040.
To sum up, the Optimal development of young people’s initial skills is a milestone in their future. Enables them to lead a healthy, and productive life, as youth and later as adults, because they gain the competence to earn a living, engage in civic activities, and excel in their jobs.
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