By teaching students the principles of entrepreneurship, they are empowered to become more innovative, creative, and problem-solving individuals who can contribute significantly to the economy and society. This article explores the importance of teaching entrepreneurship in schools and the steps required to implement it as a subject.
In a rapidly changing world, traditional education models are being challenged to prepare students for the dynamic job market of the 21st century. One solution gaining momentum is the integration of entrepreneurship into school curricula. Whilst some schools have implemented subjects of entrepreneurship into schools, more need to be doing this, ideally from a younger age.
The need for entrepreneurship education in South Africa
Introducing entrepreneurship as a subject from when children are young holds many benefits. Fostering critical skills such as life skills where students learn about problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, innovation, communication and adaptability is essential in creating a strong foundation for starting a business, but also for general success in a business environment. Giving children these skills from a young age enables them to learn how to think outside of the box, identify opportunities, manage a team, build relationships, and think on their feet to solve issues and make decisions which will enable them to identify and seize opportunities.
It is all good and well implementing these life skills, but we also need to focus on why this is so important. Many South Africans live in poverty and want to break this mould. Entrepreneurship education can help reduce unemployment and poverty in South Africa. By equipping learners with the necessary skills and knowledge to start a business, they can create job opportunities for themselves and others. It is critical for schools to involve external business owners to mentor, coach and guide aspiring entrepreneurs as a way of entrepreneurship practical learning. This can contribute to the growth of the economy and reduce poverty levels in the country. Unconventional CA gets involved with the THRIVE programme, where the team go and teach school children in institutional care about entrepreneurship, getting them ready for the working world.
Once children have learnt about breaking the mould, building up their life skills and looking at ways to start their own business, it is important to build their financial literacy. Understanding the financial aspects of running a business, including budgeting, financial planning, and risk management, is an integral part of entrepreneurship education. This knowledge can prepare students for responsible financial management in their personal and professional lives.
Fostering resilience is another lesson that all entrepreneurs often face. Failure is part of the game, but students need to learn how to manage these setbacks and not give up when it gets tough. By teaching students to embrace failure as a learning opportunity, we instil resilience and a growth mindset.
Steps to introduce entrepreneurship as a school subject
Now that we’ve looked at reasons why entrepreneurship is so important as a subject, we need to look at how it would need to be implemented into the school system as a subject.
How would we integrate this subject into the current school curriculum? There are a few ways to introduce entrepreneurship as a subject. To start, this can be done by incorporating entrepreneurship principles into subjects like mathematics, science, and even history, creating a holistic understanding of the subject.
Another option could be that schools offer specialised courses that cater to students interested in pursuing a career as an entrepreneur. These courses can provide in-depth knowledge and practical experience in entrepreneurship. Schools can establish entrepreneurship clubs and organise events such as business plan competitions, where students can put their ideas into action and gain valuable experience. This is also where they could bring in influential external entrepreneurs who could assist and guide students.
One of the most beneficial ways to learn is through experience. If schools partnered with local businesses that could give students real-life exposure to the working world, students would learn a huge amount about how business works. This could also come in the form of internships and mentorship, or even investment in student-run ventures.
Whilst it is all good and well having these initiatives in place, schools would need to also implement professional development for teachers who would play a pivotal role in imparting entrepreneurship education. Offering professional development opportunities for teachers can help them become better equipped to teach entrepreneurship effectively. Educators should be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to create an enabling environment that would foster creativity, critical thinking, innovation and problem-solving. Furthermore, resources would need to be provided for support to schools to ensure that learners have access to the necessary materials and equipment needed for entrepreneurship education.
Benefits of entrepreneurship as a school subject
It’s not just about learning how to be an entrepreneur that implementing this as a subject would be so important, it’s also about the skills and lessons you learn and develop which can help in various aspects throughout your life. This makes you a stronger, more rounded individual. Entrepreneurship not only gives you skills and knowledge which you can apply to various careers, but it also drives economic growth, reduces unemployment and increases problem-solving, giving individuals the skills to address societal issues and challenges.
Conclusion
Introducing entrepreneurship as a school subject is an investment in the future. It empowers students to be innovative, adaptable, and equipped with essential life skills. As the world evolves, so too must our education system. By fostering a culture of entrepreneurship in schools, we prepare students to thrive in a dynamic and ever-changing global landscape, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.
How can you help?
If you’d like to be a game changer in the South African economy and start introducing coaches to teach entrepreneurship in schools, we’d love to help and we can build this together with you. You can email info@theunconventionlaca.org.
Author
Hiten Keshave CA(SA), founder of The Unconventional CA
