August 16, 1996
(Education)

Entrepreneurship teaching materials introduced in schools across Atlantic Canada

Two new resources designed to assist teachers promote and encourage enterprise and entrepreneurship among students from kindergarten to grade eight, were launched today at the Pan-Atlantic/Entrepreneurship Enterprise Education Symposium by the Atlantic Provinces Education Foundation (APEF) in partnership with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

"Pathways to Enterprise", a 365-page English language cross- curriculum guide, and "Coup d'Main," a series of storybooks intended for Francophone and French immersion students from kindergarten to grade three, were unveiled to the symposium participants by Lawrence MacAulay, Secretary of State for ACOA and Veterans, and James Lockyer, New Brunswick's Minister of Education, on behalf of the four Atlantic provincial education ministers.

"By helping teachers instill the basic skills of initiative, leadership and self-confidence in today's youth, the federal government is helping to foster and nurture a renewed spirit of entrepreneurship," said Mr. MacAuley. "These new teaching materials are perfect examples of how ACOA works hand-in-hand with its provincial partners to ensure that young people from across the Atlantic region have access to effective and dynamic entrepreneurship education programs."

While "Pathways to Enterprise" offers practical exercises, simulations and challenges the "Coup d'Main" series of storybooks and follow-up exercises will help stimulate conversation on enterprise in the younger age groups. Both resource materials are designed to assist teachers in conveying the basic concepts of enterprise learning to students between five and 12 years of age.

"Pathways to Enterprise" was co-developed by Dr. Basil J. Favaro and Ian L. Forsyth in collaboration with entrepreneurs and provincial education consultants, and with contributions from pilot teachers and district education coordinators in the four Atlantic provinces. The "Coup d'Main' series, which was published by `Les Editions de L'Acadie', was developed by a team of teachers, education consultants and active entrepreneurs from the four Atlantic provinces.

Both initiatives are part of the Pan-Atlantic Entrepreneurship Development Program federal-provincial initiative to increase knowledge of entrepreneurship among students of all ages. A Pan-Atlantic committee representing APEF and ACOA oversaw the development of the teaching guide and French storybooks.

Improving conditions under which entrepreneurship flourishes in one of ACOA's strategic priorities. "The reason for the agency's focus on educating students in the principles of entrepreneurship is simple," said Mr. MacAuley. "New ventures, mainly small and medium-sized business, create 60 per cent of new jobs across Atlantic Canada each year. By exposing students to the fundamental concepts of entrepreneurship, the eventual pool of entrepreneurs is increased, leading to more sustained economic development."

The development of "Pathways to Enterprise" and "Coup d'Main' are but two of the initiatives aimed at providing entrepreneurship education to students at each grade level in Atlantic Canada. It is estimated that 50,000 students from kindergarten to grade 12 are presently enrolled in entrepreneurship or enterprise courses, modules or activities as a result of efforts and investments by ACOA and its provincial government partners.

All four provincial education ministers agreed that these new resource materials will play an important role in furthering the entrepreneurial spirit in Atlantic Canada.

"We all know that the lessons learned early on are those which help shape our outlook on life," stated James Lockyer, New Brunswick's Minister of Education. "Enterprise education provides two very important lessons: those of self-confidence and self-reliance which are important aspects for personal and professional fulfilment."

"It is essential that we equip our teachers with the resources they need to help young students discover and explore their strengths and ambitions," added Robbie Harrison, Minister of Education and Culture for Nova Scotia. "As educators, we have a responsibility to make sure that our youth learn the skills needed to start and grow their own small firms."

"These new teaching materials will help expose young students to career opportunities they may have never known existed," indicated Roger Grimes, Minister of Education for Newfoundland and Labrador. "It is these new ideas which will help launch the successful small and medium- sized businesses of tomorrow."

"There can be no doubt that entrepreneurship will take on an even greater role in helping create future employment opportunities for Atlantic Canadians," added Gordon MacInnis, Prince Edward Island's Minister of Education. "The continued economic growth of our region depends in large part on the new ventures which will eventually be launched by young entrepreneurs."

Total costs for the development and production of "Pathways to Enterprise" and "Coup d'Main" are estimated at $517,000. The costs are being shared between the federal and four Atlantic provincial governments under the Pan-Atlantic Entrepreneurship Development Program. ACOA provided $322,350 for both initiatives while the provincial share, totalling $194,650, was provided through the Atlantic Provinces Education Foundation.

The APEF is composed of the Departments of Education of the four Atlantic provinces and serves as a catalyst for regional cooperation in the field of education. Through the foundation, a framework has been established to facilitate the sharing of information, the production and purchase of education materials, and the initiation of activities and projects on a regional level.

ACOA works with Atlantic Canadians to improve the economy of communities in the region through the successful development of businesses and job opportunities. ACOA encourages entrepreneurship development by working in partnership with Atlantic Canadians on a number of initiatives designed to renew the region's entrepreneurial spirit.

Contact: Janice Goguen, ACOA, (506) 851-6403 or Rheal Poirier, Regional Coordinator, APEF, (902) 424-5352.