Kerala school students to receive entrepreneurship training alongside studies

Thiruvananthapuram: School students across Kerala are now being trained not only in academics but also in entrepreneurship, marking a fresh and innovative approach to education. From aquaculture to drone servicing, the range of student-led ventures is impressively diverse.

This initiative is part of the ‘Skill to Venture’ (STV) programme under Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK), aimed at encouraging students to become young entrepreneurs while also instilling saving habits. Currently, STV is being implemented in 40 VHSE (Vocational Higher Secondary Education) schools, integrated with the World Bank’s STARS project.

Each participating school will receive a grant of Rs 5 lakh to support the execution of entrepreneurial activities, which are closely linked to the vocational courses offered at VHSE. Local industrial partners collaborate with schools by signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), providing students with practical training and mentoring.

The oversight of this scheme rests with an advisory committee chaired by the VHSE principal and including elected local representatives. Student committees handle key responsibilities such as management, finance, branding and marketing, with students themselves serving as managers and brand ambassadors. All financial transactions are facilitated through Deshbandhu Cooperative Bank.

Profits generated from the ventures will see up to 10% shared directly with the students involved. Plans are already underway to extend the programme to higher secondary schools next year.

Everyday services through student ventures

• Kollam leads with the highest number of student ventures—12 in total. Thiruvananthapuram follows with nine, Thrissur has four, Kozhikode three and Wayanad and Kottayam have two each. Other districts contribute one venture each.
• The variety of projects includes e-vehicle servicing, solar LED production, computer hardware support centres, mobile phone repair services, LED lamp manufacturing, 3D printing, floriculture, e-clinics, jewellery making, e-service centres, organic farming and refrigerator-AC service centres.

This pioneering programme is transforming schools into hubs of innovation, equipping Kerala’s youth with the skills and experience to thrive as tomorrow’s entrepreneurs.

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