Education: Creating a generation of young entrepreneurs

“We want to prepare our youth and young adults to become entrepreneurially-minded individuals and succeed in an entrepreneurial economy,” said the Minister of Education, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun at Le Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel, Caudan, Port Louis. She was speaking on Friday 5 August 2016 at an Entrepreneurship Education Certificate Award Ceremony for thirty Educators. Awardees had successfully completed the Build Your Business (BYB) Programme designed by Microsoft Indian Ocean Islands and French Pacific in collaboration with the Ministry and the National Productivity and Competitiveness Council.

According to the Minister, entrepreneurship is recognised today as a key driver of our economy since it encourages innovation and enhances employability and ultimately impacts on positive chances for increased social mobility. Above all, stressed the Minister, it is part of a lifelong learning process, and throws into relief an innovative 21st century syllabus.

Speaking about Entrepreneurship Education, Mrs Dookun-Luchoomun pointed out that it goes beyond introducing the world of real business into the classroom.  Rather, it helps to inculcate such soft skills as creativity, initiative-taking and the taking of calculated risks, working in teams, leadership, and decision-making, she stated.  At a time when Small and Medium Enterprises are coming to play a major role in our economy, launching personal businesses certainly appears as one of the right directions to take, the Minister added.

Entrepreneurship Education

The current BYB is basically a 15-hour programme that enables Lower VI students to develop competencies and learn the appropriate approaches, should they decide to become entrepreneurs in their own right. Educators act as trainers and facilitators to create an enabling environment that will make a difference in the lives of young learners. It is recalled that Entrepreneurship has been introduced in secondary schools and is being now offered as an optional subject for Form 4 students.