‘School Enterprise Challenge 2018-19’ a mini business venture
Podar World School, Sherkhi has launched an entrepreneurial initiative for the second time under the title ‘School Enterprise Challenge’ which imparts the learners training in successfully carrying out a business mastering the rudiments of business such as coming out with a viable business idea, easy ways and means of acquiring raw materials, planning for a cost effective business venture, carrying out a research on the demand and supply strategies of a market etc. The credit goes to their Social Science educator, Ms Sunanda Dattatreya for laying the foundation of the business skill and to Ms Pooja Makhija, the Commerce Faculty for familiarizing the learners with the market strategies. Above all heartfelt gratitude to the Principal, Ms Preeta Pillai for extending such opportunities in a world that offers cut throat competitions so that the learners develop confidence, business tactics and the skill of effective articulation through such ventures which help to boost their morale and self esteem. This time the school had gone for promoting eco-friendly jute bags to be a part of the national campaign of banning plastics. Besides, a few items made out of ‘Best from waste’ that exemplified the creative pursuits of our learners with the help of their Art teacher, Ms Kanchan Bhawnani, were kept for sale. These items included hand-made wall hangings, clay plates well colored and designed to be used as show pieces, paper jewellery boxes, pen holders, photo-frames etc. formed a part of the selling wares. As a part of procuring raw materials, plain jute bags were procured at a reasonable price (in bulk of 50 bags) and these bags were made more attractive by writing slogans on banning plastics and made drawings of related pictures by the students who were a part and parcel of the business. Students of classes VIII to XI Commerce (around 80) were involved in every aspect of developing the business beginning from market research (through distribution of questionnaires to shop keepers selling stationery items and bags) to getting raw materials, the bags, fabric colors and brushes and finally to the labeling of price tags to the bags and other items.
On 4th August, 2018, a Saturday, and the first Open Day of the academic year, the school atelier was transformed into a training ground (a market place) where stalls were put up for selling the merchandise. This was in fact the 3rd phase of SEC. The idea for the business that was conceived was the 1st phase and meticulously planned out was the 2nd phase and its fruitful implementation was the 3rd phase. There was a stall of books and games too to add to the attractive display. A circular was given a week prior to the event wherein information regarding the business venture and a plea to visit the stalls to boost the spirit of the budding entrepreneurs precisely drew the parents of the wards to move to the atelier after having discussed their wards’ progress with their teachers on their respective classes. The atelier remained thronged with the parents and students throughout the day buying the things to their hearts’ content. The parents really appreciated the things and even enquired the materials with which certain showpieces were made and the time taken to make them. The sale started at 8:30 a.m. with a few students from class VIII to XI stationed at each stall along with a few teachers for providing the required guidance. The students welcomed the customers with cheerful countenance and with folded hands ‘Podar Pranam’ and adopted a posture which clearly called for the customers’ satisfaction. By 10:30 a.m. the market place (the atelier) seemed to be ransacked as hardly any items were left for the teachers to shop after the time allotted for the Open Day. On the whole it was a successful initiative made possible with the concern and far sightedness of the leader, Ms Preeta Pillai who never leaves any stone unturned when it comes to giving experiential learning to her students. Thanks to the Management, the Principal and to her team of dedicated teachers who have pitched in one way or the other towards the successful accomplishment of the venture.
