Health and life skills focuses on equipping learners with the proper resources and information to be able to function in society and caters to their overall wellbeing. This consists of communication, decision-making and self- management skills. Along with teaching them various coping mechanisms for different situations and how to lead a healthy lifestyle to the best of their ability.
At Borgtun Skole, in Norway, learner activities include group work and presentations, to enhance their communication and public speaking skills. Lessons are taught on a more practical level to help learners incorporate them into their everyday lives. For example, the school prioritizes more outdoor activities where learners do not just spend majority of their time sitting in the classroom, but engaging in activities that can help them develop their social skills and physical education. Learning also includes both outdoor and indoor games to help learners have fun while learning, which is more likely to be memorable and helpful in the long run.
In South African schools, the life skills taught are based on societal context. For example, with loadshedding, learners are taught about safety when using candles to prevent accidents. Life skills also differ from school-to-school. Although the curriculum is usually the same for most schools, some concepts change according to the region and the major religious beliefs of that particular school/area.
In Norway, learners have to wash their hands at break time before eating and the teacher ensures that they all do so. Learners are taught skills that they may need to use in real life like making fire in the outdoors. Their life skills education is more practical-based while in South Africa it is more theory-based. Both SA and Norwegian schools have Physical education