Enterprise Education in present System of Education
Introduction
In the context of the changing world economy, the crucial question that preoccupies thinkers is- 'Is entrepreneurship responsible for promoting the growth of economy?' Evidences suggest that an entrepreneurial society is always a progressive society; more the supply of entrepreneurs in a society, higher is the rate of economic growth.
The work culture is changing. Newer jobs are arising in the employment market. Newer jobs demand different job skills and than the existing ones. The growth opportunities in the older jobs are changing fast. Today is the times where fast learner will ride the crest of the wave. Today multi skilling is the key word. In the field of science where super specialization is more important, in the field of Business and management, multi skilling and horizontally spread of abilities will enable an individual to adjust the fast changing demands of the job market and have sustained professional growth.
No other time in history of independent India was better than today to start enterprise education.
The primary objective of education is to prepare a child for future life, especially professional and social. Changing trends in the employment pattern has definite reflection on the life styles. Society tends to reflect changes in workplace culture, with responsibility shifting from central control to individuals. Today’s youth is less interesting taking up a secure job and stay on it for the life time. Secure government jobs, provident funds and pension benefit are not the primary goals of today’s youth. With more and more global opportunities knocking the doors of youngsters, our youth is ready to take risk to more promising land, offering faster growth and greater challenges.
Enterprise or entrepreneurship is not just a form of vocation, but it is an attitude. It is a way of life. What distinguishes an entrepreneur from others is his ability to tolerate ambiguity, foresee the future condition, take risk and need for control on situation and people and greater need for achievement. Careful observation of these distinguishing features leads to a conclusion that the same abilities are needed to succeed in the fast changing job scenario for employed people too.
Vision, leadership, and ability to put up with ambiguity are some of the qualities needed by government servants at IAS levels, municipal councils, deans of medical and engineering colleges, a practicing doctor, lawyer or a tax consultant, sales manager, restaurant manager or editor of a magazine or a telesales executive.
Entrepreneurship is not a vocation but a way of life. People with entrepreneurial abilities are an asset to an organization even when they are employed. The concept of intrapreneur (employed entrepreneurs) is fast catching up. Greater demand of entrepreneurial qualities in youth either ready to employ others or ready for being employed, are the need of the hour. Our education system must take notice of this demand and make essential arrangement to include this subject in the curriculum and give this subject the rightful place in the national interest.
What is Enterprise Education?
Enterprise Education is directed toward achieving a learning culture which will result in greater numbers of students enthused and equipped to identify, create, initiate and successfully manage personal, business, work and community opportunities.
Need for enterprise education
The present focus of Educationists in India is limited up to the higher studies and technical education only. Information technology and technical areas are paid the highest efforts in developing entrepreneurship. The attempts at arranging venture capitals from nonbonding and non-conventional sources have gained velocity. The government, Industry and educational Institutions have joined hands to promote entrepreneurship In India. The attempts at replicating the conditions similar to silicon valley or an atmosphere suitable to Indian background conducive to nurture and promote entrepreneurs is the first priority for all at public as well as private sector.
Entrepreneurship is being quickly recognized and being promoted as subject in business schools and management schools. But the whole focus of teaching entrepreneurship is placed at the higher levels of education only.
Place of enterprise education on present education System
The present teaching learning process as well as examining procedures helps to develop only rots memory and collection of information. In the shifting paradigms of education, the aim of education is changing. Memorizing facts is better done by computers and writing speed in exam can be easily replaced by word processing. Our new educational policies and practices must be aimed at developing the right attitude for life and equipping the students with life skills for a better tomorrow.
Need for Enterprise Education in schools
The emphasis of school education should not be giving knowledge but the development of proper study habits and nurturing the attitude to inquire and research and find the facts when ever needed. The inquisitiveness and exploration, experimentation and observation, objectivity and ability to choose between right and wrong or beneficial and non-beneficial, to base the decisions on rationale are emerging as the new objectives of education.
Why should we teach Enterprise Education at School level?
It is clearly established in above discussion at entrepreneurship is an attitude and attitude cannot be built in diploma course of for 1 year after SSC or a 2 years post graduate course. The abilities like creativity, leadership, innovation and risk taking are slowly developed over a longer period of time. These abilities are not easy to develop after 18 to 20 years and are better developed in a formative age. That is probably the reason why certain communities are labeled as business communities and some are not. Entrepreneurial attitude building is logically better suited at younger age and not after HSC or graduation. Secondly a very large portion of the school going children in India leaves formal education after SSC. If enterprise Education is taught at school level we will have more enterprising SCC pass out or school drop-out students who will be able stand on their own feet and be an asset to the family and the nation and not liabilities as they are today.
Enterprise Education
In the guide lines given by NCERT for the states for formulating revised curriculum, enterprise education has been highlighted. Developing entrepreneurial abilities is included in the objectives of education by NCERT. Maharashtra state board of education too has taken a serious note of this directive. Personality Development is new subject that is offered at STD IX & X has elements of Enterprise Education in it. This is a pioneer effort by the state government and is only a first step.
With the addition of environment education in the curriculum, it is not advisable to go on dumping more subjects on students and therefore though important enterprise education has remained as an element in personality development and not an independent subject. To formulate a scheme to include enterprise education in the present system remains a challenge but generating a consensus on the need of enterprise education as an subject becomes first priority. A systematic study on what should be the methods of teaching and evaluation of enterprise need to be carried out and well contemplated plan for proper implementation of Enterprise education in the state should be worked out.
· The author of this article has worked as a member of board of studies for personality development at state board of education and co-authered the chapters on Enterprise Education in the text book for Personality Development By the board.
· This article was published in Sikhan Sankraman- A monthly magazine published by Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education.
