The Entrepreneurial Literacy Programme at SBGS Moira Street is one of the most exciting student-led initiatives, bringing together students from various classes to experience the thrill of entrepreneurship firsthand. From brainstorming ideas and planning budgets to marketing products and managing customers, the Entrepreneurial Literacy Programme is a fun, hands-on experience that brings learning to life. Our young entrepreneurs do not launch the next billion-dollar tech start-up—they begin with something far more irresistible: simple yet delicious food items which they prepare and sell inside the school campus. Along the way, students develop essential life skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, decision-making, communication and crisis management—all the while discovering the excitement of running their own venture. The initiative aims to empower the students through real-world experiences that build confidence, creativity and leadership. At SBGS, we believe that some of the most valuable lessons can be learnt beyond the classroom.
Almost a week before the event, excitement takes over the classrooms. Every free period turns into a lively planning session as the students brainstorm the menu, carefully choosing each item. Of course, no decision comes easily. There are endless debates over which items would sell the fastest, whose idea deserves a place on the menu and whether spicy or sweet would be the bigger hit.
Planning the menu also means making thoughtful choices proving that healthy eating at SBGS goes hand in hand with creativity and entrepreneurial learning. Once the menu is finalised, some get busy designing colourful posters and preparing announcements while others take preorders from the teachers. Small groups are made, duties are distributed across different areas including food preparation, serving customers and managing the cash counter.
Meanwhile, another little tradition quietly unfolds as old newspapers are cut into small pieces and stamped into coupons giving new life to something that would otherwise have been discarded. The magic of this programme begins long before the stalls are set up. The evening before, class group chats come alive as everyone decides who brings what. Soon enough, families head out to buy fresh ingredients while kitchens fill with the sounds of chopping, stirring, sizzling and laughter. Recipes are passed down, siblings become unofficial tasters cum food critics and parents happily lend a helping hand in the preparations.
The next morning is a whirlwind of activity. Students walk into the school balancing containers, boxes, bags and more importantly, bursting with the excitement of finally seeing days (sometimes weeks!) of planning come to life. The first two periods are perhaps the longest of the year. There is only so much concentration possible when such a big event is waiting. As the third period starts, all pretence of staying calm disappears. Every group gathers around its workspace, checking ingredients and dividing responsibilities one last time. That is usually when someone realises she has forgotten something. Bowls go missing, so lunchboxes become mixing bowls and cakes get crushed inside their own boxes. Almost every year someone forgets the gloves until another becomes the saviour with a spare pair. Someone else forgets the scissors and suddenly one pair is being shared by what feels like half the class as students wander around asking, “Can we borrow yours? We will give it back.”
The classrooms turn into miniature production units. Some students chop vegetables, others assemble cups or mix ingredients while a few desperately try to keep their aprons clean… even though that is exactly what aprons are for. Yet somehow, despite the commotion everything comes together. The next mission is securing a spot in the basement where the young entrepreneurs set up their tables. As soon as preparations are complete, everyone rushes downstairs. Newspapers are spread out, ingredients are arranged and trays of food make their way downstairs through a chain of helping hands. It is teamwork in its truest form. Everyone plays a small part in keeping the operation running. As the lunch bell rings, organised chaos takes over as students serve customers, manage orders and work together to keep the process running smoothly.
Of course, things do not always go according to the plan. Orders get delayed, ingredients run low or teams suddenly find themselves short of people but instead of stopping, everyone adapts. Responsibilities are shared, quick decisions are made and solutions appear almost as fast as the problems. They discover that successful entrepreneurship is not about avoiding problems but learning how to respond to them with resilience, creativity and confidence. By the end of it all comes the most eagerly awaited moment—the counting of the earnings. Every note is carefully flattened, every coin proudly added to the pile and every recount somehow produces a slightly bigger smile.
The best part of this initiative is that every rupee that is made from the sale goes straight to NGOs turning every rushed moment and accidental spill into something meaningful. Beyond raising funds, the initiative gives the students a practical understanding of entrepreneurial literacy. From budgeting and financial management to teamwork and coordination, every stage teaches them something new. When ingredients run low or plans change at the last minute, they learn adaptability, crisis management and how to think on their feet. Every responsibility, big or small, teaches them to work together, take initiative and solve problems with confidence. These are lessons that stay with them long after the stalls are packed away. Such initiatives are not memorable because everything goes according to the plan but because almost nothing does. It is experiences like these that make SBGS one of the best CBSE schools in South Kolkata where every student is empowered to thrive.
YASHICA TIKMANY - 12 S
HIYA KHARA - 11 H
DISHITA CHATTERJEE - 11 H
