In order to develop an entrepreneurial mindset among school children, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) have joined hands to sensitise teachers about it. An orientation programme for school teachers on ‘Inculcating Entrepreneurial Mindset among Students' was recently held by EDII and CBSE with an aim to strengthen entrepreneurial programmes in schools.
Attended by over 1,000 school teachers, principals, and parents of various CBSE schools across India, the programme focused on training and familiarising teachers on the relevance of introducing students to the concept of entrepreneurship at an early age.
To instil self-confidence, problem-solving competence and innovation among school students so that they excel in their career, CBSE introduced an entrepreneurship course for Classes 11 and 12 in all its affiliate schools.
NEP push
Biswajit Saha, Director, Skill and Education Training, CBSE, believes that the creation of an entrepreneurial mindset cannot be separate from the core curriculum. “The new education policy categorically focuses on making everything a part of the curriculum. So, how are we going to make a positive impact on the structure of the curriculum? That innovation needs to come from the teachers,” Saha said.
Saha also suggested conducting contests for students/teachers and faculty development training for CBSE schools to make learning more meaningful. The online session covered subjects such as role of entrepreneurship in national development and expanding the scope of entrepreneurship in social, corporate, and public sectors. Developing the entrepreneurial mindset among school students, entrepreneurial skills and employability skills and techniques for developing entrepreneurial mindset among school students.
Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII, commented that entrepreneurship, like any other subject, is a dynamic and practical field. “It requires a certain level of familiarisation and orientation to stay attune with latest trends. Initiatives such as ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat,’ ‘Start-up India,’ ‘Swachh Bharat,’ and so on have created several entrepreneurs.”
Faculty training
“It is important to help teachers understand the modalities of entrepreneurial linkages in their respective subjects and add value in their counselling and guidance,” he said adding that various pedagogical tools and approaches would need to develop entrepreneurship at the school level and develop entrepreneurial mindset among students.
The session also discussed how to make classroom learning of entrepreneurship experiential and creative. EDII, meanwhile, has offered to provide short-term training to school teachers on entrepreneurship and mentoring.