- Junior Achievement Hong Kong, backed by Operation Santa Claus, wants to teach the next generation to be business leaders of tomorrow
Not everyone wants to be an entrepreneur, but by engaging in a specially designed board game, a group of six pupils at Pat Heung Central Primary School in Yuen Long have got some idea of what running a business would be like.
The Monopoly-style challenge is part of an initiative launched by Junior Achievement Hong Kong to inspire and empower children.
Besides giving the board game to schools it works with, the charity has conducted entrepreneurship training sessions for young students. It wants to encourage the juniors to learn creating development opportunities for themselves, and become the masters of their own lives.
Dr William Lo Wing-yan, chairman of Junior Achievement Hong Kong, said the "Be My Own Boss" programme, which targets primary students, was one of many projects the Hong Kong-based organisation had developed to prepare young people for employment and entrepreneurship.
The veteran executive, who has run major companies in the telecommunications and media industries, said he believed students should start learning about the world of business from a young age to enhance their work readiness.
The charity is expanding the student empowerment project, which has served more than 1,000 primary pupils since its launch in 2016, with funds provided by Operation Santa Claus, the annual fundraising campaign jointly organised by the South China Morning Post and public broadcaster RTHK.
Lo, a firm believer in the power of knowledge to change lives, said his team wanted to help more people, especially those who were trapped in a cycle of poverty.
"We want to give the disadvantaged children more opportunities," he said, adding that the programme would be open to students' parents starting next year.
In the coming year, a total of 500 Primary Four to Primary Six students, and 100 parents from five districts with the highest poverty rates " North district, Kwun Tong, Sham Shui Po, Yuen Long, and Wong Tai Sin " will benefit from the expanded project.
The programme comprises sessions focusing on a range of social, financial and enterprise skills, such as developing creative ideas, business planning and budgeting.
Operation Santa Claus raises more than HK$17 million for Hong Kong's needy in annual fundraising drive
Junior Achievement Hong Kong will also arrange company visits, providing opportunities for programme participants to take a closer look at how a business is run in the real world.
"I could see the passion and quest for knowledge in some of these young children's eyes," Lo said of his experience in leading the project.
The organisation, with a staff of 12, will use new funds provided by OSC and other donors to improve its educational materials.
"Our board game is very popular with the students," Lo said.
Thapa Jeseeka, a Primary Six student at the Yuen Long school, said she had been inspired by the game.
"I want to be a businesswoman when I grow up," the 11-year-old said.
Her classmate, Noor Rabia, however, has a different plan in mind. "I want to be an English teacher."
Wong Pui-yee, 11, said she also wanted to be a teacher, adding she aspired to teach kindergarten children.
Students need to set themselves a goal and work towards itPat Heung Central Primary School principal Irene Lai
Thapa Bikash, 14, said he was looking forward to a career in the video game industry, while Imran Ahmad, 10, said he would continue to play cricket.
Chan Hui-en, 10, said she had no plans yet, but had learned something from the board game: "I have a better understanding of teamwork," she said.
Irene Lai Yuen-shan, principal of Pat Heung Central Primary School, said life planning should start early.
"Students need to set themselves a goal and work towards it," she said.
Dr Gary To Kwok-kuen, head of curriculum development at the school, said students had different strengths and some might want to explore different options.
"The acquisition of enterprise skills could enable those who are less interested in their studies to pursue a career they want."
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