Entrepreneurship skills vital in primary schools syllabus

Entrepreneurial skills should be included in primary school curriculums if the nation is to raise a generation of competent business oriented experts who will champion the commercial sector with innovation and creative business modules necessary for social economic development of the country.
 

The assertion was issued over the weekend in Dar es Salaam by a panel of local entrepreneurs to the Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO) during the closure of a one week training on soap making and entrepreneurship skills which was provided by SIDO.

A panel member, Michael Tarimo who is in soap production, said entrepreneurship training plays a crucial role in the development of any country and youth must be prepared from an early stage before entering the labour market.

“I urge the government through SIDO, to establish an entrepreneurship curriculum designed for primary school pupils to teach them self-employment, “he said.

He cited Japan and India noting that they have achieved economic development fits because they invested in self-development education, through entrepreneurship training in lower level classes.

While commending SIDO on the training, he called on the organisation to increase the frequency and length of the sessions.

“We urge you to increase the frequency…it will help us learn more and implement better, “said the successful entrepreneur who went on to call on SIDO to work with the government towards creating easier loan packages for entrepreneurs.

“Most financial institutions are not so friendly to us... you should look on how to support us in this matter,” he called.

In turn, the SIDO Dar es Salaam regional Manager Hamuel Meena urged entrepreneurs to adopt systematic and methodological approach to doing business if they are to receive government support.

Amongst other services, SIDO provides entrepreneurs access to loans ranging from 100,000/- to 6m/- under fairly ‘lenient conditions’. The seven days training attracted over 20 participants from Rukwa, Kigoma and Dar es Salaam regions.