This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Cumbernauld kids are the biz
12/12/2003
Enterprising primary pupils in Cumbernauld have been
showing off their products to Enterprise Minister Jim
Wallace today.
Companies such as Pebbles Paperweights (Primary 1),
Glittery Gift Tags (P3/4) and Brilliant Bookmarks (P7) are
part of the Enterprise Programme at St Helen's Primary
School.
North Lanarkshire Council has received over £2 million
Scottish Executive funding to support the Determined to
Succeed strategy for enterprise in education.
Mr Wallace said:
"These mini-businesses are a fun and engaging way to
enthuse youngsters and help them develop a 'can do, will
do' spirit at an early age.
"Changing attitudes towards enterprise in Scotland must
start in the classroom. We need to encourage young people
to have a go, to take sensible risks, and to be excited by
the world of business.
"As St.Helen's approach shows, enterprise in education
can be at the heart of the school curriculum and school
life. Pupils of all ages can gain self-confidence and the
ability to think creatively - vital attributes if we want
them to grow up determined to succeed."
The Scottish Budget 2003-2006 has allocated £40
million to support the Determined to Succeed strategy
(2002) for Enterprise in Education. This has been
supplemented by a further £2 million from the Hunter
Foundation, which has been match funded by the Executive.
North Lanarkshire Council's allocation was announced on
October 9, 2003.
The Executive is also involved in the Schools Enterprise
Programme (SEP), a joint venture with the private sector
which started in 2001. This encourages and promotes
enterprise experiences for children aged 5-14 by developing
links between education and the business community. Nearly
1000 primary schools have registered their enterprise
projects with the SEP.