Description of the Experience

As part of the Youth Debate League’s Life Skills Division, I volunteered at Shree Priyakant Maniyar School No. 338. Along with 2–3 team members, I conducted two interactive workshops for students of Grades 8 and 9 on a Saturday morning. The sessions focused on Time Management and Financial Literacy, aiming to provide practical skills that are often not emphasized in regular classroom learning.

Each session lasted around 45–60 minutes and included storytelling, real-life examples, group discussions, and short activities. We explained concepts such as setting priorities, avoiding procrastination, budgeting, understanding needs versus wants, and the importance of saving money. The sessions were designed to be interactive and engaging so that students could connect these concepts to their daily lives.

Learning Outcomes Demonstrated

LO3 – Initiate and plan a CAS experience
I contributed to planning the structure of the workshops and preparing content that was suitable for Grade 8–9 students.

LO4 – Show perseverance and commitment in CAS experience
Preparing and conducting the sessions required dedication and time outside regular academic hours. Despite challenges such as maintaining attention and simplifying complex topics, I remained committed to delivering meaningful sessions.

LO5 – Demonstrate skills and benefits of working collaboratively
Working with my team required coordination, division of responsibilities, and supporting each other throughout the sessions.

LO6 – Engagement with issues of global significance
Educational inequality and limited access to life skills education is a global issue. This initiative aimed to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world skills for underprivileged students.

LO7 – Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions
Teaching financial literacy involved discussing responsible decision-making and understanding the long-term consequences of daily financial and time-related choices.

Reflection

Volunteering at this school was a meaningful and eye-opening experience. It made me realize how important exposure to practical life skills is for students’ future success. While the concepts we taught may seem basic, they can significantly influence how students manage their time and resources.

This experience strengthened my communication skills and helped me understand how to adapt explanations based on the audience. It also reinforced the importance of teamwork and preparation. Most importantly, it increased my awareness of educational inequalities and motivated me to continue contributing toward initiatives that create positive social impact.