Teachers as Leaders in Promoting Business Studies for Entrepreneurship: Challenges and Strategy

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore the Challenges and Strategies Teachers as leaders in promoting Business Studies for Entrepreneurship in Gert Sibande District of Mpumalanga Province. The study used a qualitative Case Study methodological approach to generate data. Ten (10) teachers from different schools, gender, age and experience were interviewed telephonically using a semi-structured interview. The interviews were on the role of Business Studies teachers in promoting Business Studies for entrepreneurship in secondary schools. All the teachers that were interviewed had been teaching Business Studies for more than three years in secondary schools of Mpumalanga Province. The research revealed that although Business Studies is one of the taught subjects in rural schools, it remains theoretical as the subject lacks the development of practical skills. The interviewed teachers in this study suggested that entrepreneurship can be taught effectively and productively if the challenges, such as the lack of entrepreneurship training; limited mentorship; absence of sponsorship; lack of support from colleagues and the school community; lack of resources such as extra textbooks, Study Guides; and the lack of necessary equipment for entrepreneurial activities are addressed. The findings imply that, to be able to promote the teaching of Business Studies, there is a need for creating and sustaining an entrepreneurship culture, which includes the involvement of all stakeholders to encourage and motivate learners interested in Business Studies in rural secondary schools.