The Commission had a consultation and was precise on what the business community should support. So it did. The result is embarassing.
A large majority of respondents (84%) think that the education system, and in particular the
school curricula does not focus enough on entrepreneurship. They therefore consider it
important to intervene in the education system with more systematic measures. Generally
speaking, curricula are considered to be important but the crucial element for encouraging an
entrepreneurial mindset is a closer link between the SME community (including all types of
companies and SME stakeholders) and schools. Firstly, it is essential to change teachers'
negative attitudes about entrepreneurship by bringing them closer to the real world of SMEs.
Practical training/seminars for pupils should be organised at every educational level, starting
at an early stage with the involvement of all types of local SMEs. Basic economic principles
with a special focus on difficulties and constraints linked to creating and running an enterprise
should be included in school curricula and not limited to specific studies. Mini and virtual
companies are also mentioned as useful tools for developing entrepreneurial attitudes
especially among younger pupils (i.e. in primary schools).
I wonder whether real entrepreneurs consider it compatible with the role of government to build public opinions. I don't think the problem is the goal, its the means. How can reasonable people buy into the notion to change people? Have the Verheugen apparatchik and European business functionaries forgotten basic principles of European liberalism? Or are they too blind to see?