Extracurricular entrepreneurship education in public schools: a key to decreasing youth unemployment in South Africa
Theoretical background: According to the World Economic Forum Global Risk report (2014) “South Africa has the third highest unemployment rate in the world for persons aged 15 to 24, and more than 50% of the South African youth is unemployed.” Orford et al. (2004, p. 4) explain that “South Africa ranks in the lowest quartile of all the developing countries with only five out of every hundred adults being an entrepreneur”. Private schools in South Africa tend to prioritize extracurricular activities such as entrepreneurship; unfortunately most public schools are yet to adopt such activities. There are many studies focusing on entrepreneurship in South Africa; unfortunately most of the studies do not address entrepreneurship education at school level. There is a need to research the value of introducing entrepreneurship education as an extracurricular activity in public schools. Hypotheses: Practical exposure to extracurricular entrepreneurship education at school level promotes learners’ personal development, self-belief and creates an interest in entrepreneurship. Research questions: (i) Do the public schools teach entrepreneurship as an extracurricular activity? (ii) What are the learners’ perceptions about entrepreneurship? (iii) Do the learners have an interest in starting their own entrepreneurial ventures? (iv) Do the teachers and parents think that entrepreneurship education can empower the learners? (v) Do the teachers and parents encourage the learners to engage in entrepreneurial activities in and outside school? Research objectives: (i) To establish whether the learners are introduced to entrepreneurship at school level, whether at home or at school. (ii) To determine whether introducing entrepreneurship education produces any changes in the learners’ attitude, interest and
Akindele. O Olunloyo
51910357
UNISA Short paper
perceptions. (iii) To determine whether the teachers and parents attach any value to introducing the learners to entrepreneurship at school level. Study methods: the research will be made up of non-experimental and experimental research methods. It will have two stages; stage 1 will use a descriptive research method which will consist of a combination of interviews, focus groups and questionnaires targeted at the learners, parents and teachers. Stage 2 will use true experimental method whereby the learners will participate in an extracurricular entrepreneurship activity in the form of school business clubs. Expected results: Learners who participate in the school business clubs are expected to receive a number of benefits including self-belief and an increased interest in entrepreneurship. This is because there is a positive relationship between extracurricular activity and personal development. Conclusion: The South African economy needs more people to succeed as entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship can promote innovation and generate employment. Everyone can benefit from entrepreneurship education, regardless of their age and occupation. Also, learners can benefit despite their choice of school subjects and hobbies therefore it is important to introduce entrepreneurship education at school level. The solution to unemployment is creating more jobs. Successful entrepreneurs create jobs, reduce unemployment and increase economic development. Most of the successful entrepreneurs we have today were exposed to entrepreneurship at school level. Equipping learners with entrepreneurial skills is everyone’s responsibility that means that government, schools, parents and communities at large need to work together build a culture of entrepreneurship.
Akindele. O Olunloyo
51910357
UNISA Short paper
References Charney, A., & Libecap. (2000). Impact of Entrepreneurship Education. Retrieved from http://entrepreneurship.eller.arizona.edu/Docs/Evaluation/Impactevaluation_Entrepreneurshippro gram_UA.Pdf Orford, J., Herrington, M., & Wood E. (2004). Global Entrepreneurship Monitor South African Report. UCT Graduate School of Business, Cape Town: UCT Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Paper submitted and presented at the UNISA Research and Innovation Showcase 2014 Akindele Olufemi Olunloyo B.Com(Hon) Business Management
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