This study aims to examine the impact of a school-based intervention on life skills and personal development among adolescents in Kosovo. It responds to the educational shift toward competence-based learning outlined in the new Kosovo curriculum. The research adopts a quasi-experimental design with pre-and post-tests to examine changes in students’ self-perceived competencies across five life skills: interpersonal communication, conflict management, problem-solving, initiative-taking, and following instructions. The intervention was implemented in three schools using the FACE and PEACOCK programs, which were integrated into daily teaching practices. A total of 1,018 students (pre-test), aged 8 to 16, and 1,245 students (post-test) participated, along with 50 teachers trained in the program. Results show significant improvements in students' self-perception of competencies, especially in interpersonal communication and conflict management, with moderate gains in problem-solving and initiative-taking. Teacher feedback, gathered through surveys and observations, highlights positive changes in student's adaptability and classroom engagement. These findings reinforce the importance of integrating life skills into educational curricula to enhance holistic student development and bridge the gap between academic knowledge and personal competence. The authors recommend future research that includes longitudinal studies and examines the potential for expanding such interventions throughout pre-university education. © 2025, Association for Social Studies Educa. All rights reserved.
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