12 primary schools and 8 vocational schools showcased their business ideas at a fair that took place today at the ITVET compound in Belize City. It is an event coordinated by international accounting firm, Price Waterhouse Coopers, the Ministry of Education and Peacework. But the ideas, products and services on display today were more than just for show. It was actually a competition. Students were judged in ingenuity, organization, and presentation among other things. We spoke to one of the organizers of today's business fair who told us about the importance of promoting business literacy among young students.
Lia Flur, Dir., Corp. Engagement, Peace work
"So the primary ITVET school center showcases all schools across Belize District and ITVET's across the whole entire country have come here to display their innovative and creative business ideas that will be judged by a panel of 3 judges. Their setting up for everybody to come, we're inviting everybody to come look at what they've got going on. The energy here is contagious; we have a bunch of different ideas whether it's a product or service. A lot of the ITVETS have some cool things that are way above my head in engineering and development. There's a lot of cool things going on and I invite everybody to come check it out."
Emanuel Pech
"Some of the kids that are here are mostly primary school kids. What's the importance of having them on the ground?"
Lia Flur, Dir., Corp. Engagement, Peace work
"It stems a little bit from a program we do in the summers on financial literacy and entrepreneurship camps. This is a little bit of a spin-off of that which is teaching students how to start and create a business plan, how much does it cost for your materials and your laboring and supplies. How much do you then sell your products or services for, so it gives them a really hands on approach to business and how to create a business. They don't need to go through school and then find a job, they can create their own."
After the three judges tallied the points, 5 schools were acknowledged for their performance. In the primary school category the winners were as follows: St. Luke Government School got first place, James Garbutt's Government School got second place and St. Mary's Government School got third place. All winning groups were awarded with a laptop computer. In the Technical school category, ITVET in Stann Creek got first place followed by ITVET Corozal, who placed second.
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