National Schools Programme ignites entrepreneurial spirit!
An exciting new primary school initiative was announced recently by EDelia Group. Sam’s Business Bus, a free entrepreneurial programme, is aimed at sowing the seeds of entrepreneurship with school children aged 10 to 12 and inspiring them to become the entrepreneurs of the future.
Sam’s Business Bus is funded by Enterprise Ireland, and EDelia Group will deliver the programme on a national basis over the coming months. The programme is written by educators for educators and provides a range of classroom ready resources for teachers to use as they wish. This learning environment enhances creativity, improves business skills and encourages students to consider self-employment and entrepreneurship as a career choice.
Primary schools can play a very important role by nurturing pupils’ entrepreneurial spirit. Entrepreneurship education helps pupils from all socioeconomic backgrounds to think with imagination and develop new skills. By introducing young children to entrepreneurial skills, they will develop initiative, gain a better understanding of what good leadership and management traits are, so they can act in a socially responsible way.
Commenting on the programme EDelia Group CEO, Roger (Ruairí) Kelleher, said: “EDelia Group is delighted to have secured the contract to deliver this programme. Sam’s Business Bus is a great opportunity to foster a spirit of entrepreneurship in primary schools and provide valuable resources to teachers. The programme was developed by a team with expert knowledge on the latest entrepreneurial education research and a proven expertise in designing, developing and delivering classroom resources. As a result, Sam’s Business Bus enables teachers to set individual learning journeys for their pupils that will take them beyond the classroom and into the locality, exploring the world of entrepreneurship.”
Sam’s Business Bus content is designed for a blended learning approach, enhanced by digital worksheets, animated video content and a series of attractive engagement opportunities. It features all the management and leadership skills required for young people to consider when thinking of setting up a business. Each skill is capable of being taught as a single lesson but will also be designed to work with the other elements of the programme, while complimenting the existing school curriculum.
Duncan McCarthy, Principal, Dungourney National School said: “We are looking forward to exploring these free, high-quality and engaging resources with the children in our senior classes. Fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship, Sam’s Business Bus has the potential to make a real and meaningful difference in the lives of participating pupils, their schools and their communities.”
Entrepreneurship is important for several reasons. Entrepreneurs have the ability to improve standards of living and create wealth, not only for themselves but for related businesses. They can help drive change with innovation, where new or improved products and services enable new opportunities to be developed. Therefore, the importance of entrepreneurship is not to be understated and should be encouraged in young pupils.