KIDPRENEURS: Raising tomorrow's leaders today

"Start them young!" said Mrs. Mercedes Young, then Industry Dev't Chief of Capiz Province Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and now OIC Provincial Director of DTI Antique, when she conducted the PedAcademy Kidpreneurs Orientation in September 2014.

Kidpreneurs is an initiative of PedAcademy to develop the entrepreneurial mindset at an early age. In this contemporary times of information exchange as fast as a few keystrokes, developing creativity and innovation is critical in raising future leaders and entrepreneurs. Studies have shown that teaching entrepreneurship and financial literacy to children as young as 5 years old help build confidence, communication skills, teamwork, decision-making, and resilience, all important success factors as they grow up.

"Introducing children to entrepreneurship and creating a ‘can do’ culture from an early age not only helps with self esteem and personal development, but it also enables students to better understand subject choices and make career decisions at secondary school level" according to Jerry Kennelly of Ireland's Young Entrepreneur Program.

Since 2014, PedAcademy has taken baby steps to introduce entrepreneurship to its pupils through optional LIFE classes where kids are taught life skills, such as table setting, craft-making using recycled materials, and basic drawing using MS Paint. These classes were held on Saturdays at no additional cost. Due to the waning attendance for Saturday classes, the Kidpreneurs program was held first on a monthly basis or as educational exposure trips and this coming school year, it will be integrated into the school curriculum as part of Real-Life Math, Social Studies, Arts, and TLE-based subjects.

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Last March 21, 2018, a Kidpreneurs Day was held in school with Mr. Fryan Vergabera, Trustee and former PedAcademy teacher who is now teaching Accountancy, Business & Management in the Senior High School system of the Department of Education, Capiz Division. The activities included coin bank and cash-box making and simulation activities, which will now be a regular part of our curriculum.