The Katha School of Entrepreneurship offers a four-year course in Small Business Management for students in the nonformal stream of education.  The course integrates scholastic, vocational and entrepreneurial skills in a one-of-its-kind programme.

Scholastic Training: For working children, this is preparation for the School-Leaving Certificate Course of the National Open School. Each semester is 6-months long. Students enroll in the scholastic programme offered at Katha through the National Open School programme or through the Katha School Leaving Certificate programme. Both are special educational programmes for working children and those unable to attend the formal system for whatever reasons. Students are encouraged to do at least two courses each semester. That leads them to the NOS/KSLC in four years. (Please see the syllabus for KSLC).

Vocational Training and skills-upgradation programme for working students: This could be, according to their choice, skills upgradation in the field in which they are presently engaged. Or it could be from one of the courses offered by the schools — baking, catering, computers, electricals/electronics, export/foreign trade, handicrafts, tailoring/fashion designing, teachers training.

Entrepreneurship Training: Each year, there are two Certificate Courses in Small Business Management. Subjects will be chosen from those listed below. Courses 1-4 consist of an intermediate level and an advanced level, with final examinations being scheduled at the end of the four years.

The 4th year provides hands-on training with various industrial houses/entrepreneurs.

Each student will have to do a survey as part of their study and present their findings before an expert panel at the end of the third year.

Students who qualify in the scholastic, entrepreneurial and vocational streams will be awarded the Katha Diploma in Small Business Management (KDSBM).

Six Certificates of excellence will automatically give the student the Katha Diploma in Small Business Management (KDSBM). He/she does not have to appear for any written test at the end of the course.

Four pass certificates will allow the student to take the final examination.

Participation in six courses will enable the student to get admission into the short term course for the Certificate Course in Small Business Management (CCSBM).

Eligibility Criteria: Students should either have passed class eight or be preparing for their tenth class school leaving certificate examination from the National Open School. Or proof that the student is currently engaged in studies. The student must be at least 13 years of age. We encourage students to take both the scholastic, the vocational and the entrepreneurial qualifying examinations.

All KSE students are offered four optional courses. These are — onetoone (adult literacy programme), SeniorJunior (a help older citizens programme), Shramdan, and Clean Community.

All KSE students are also offered four club activities: Sports, Film Appreciation, Internet designing and site maintenance, and Quizzing.

Diplomas will be awarded to all students who pass all the qualifying examinations and fulfill their other commitments as well.

Scholarships: A select number of scholarships are available for students. Students who are regular and performance conscious and who are economically unable to pay fees are eligible. Girls get special consideration.

Curriculum for the Katha School of Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Programme

YEAR I

1. Role Models — 4 case studies of successful entrepreneurs. Writing your own case study.

2. The 9Cs of an Astute Entrepreneur: Curiosity, Curiosity, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Competence, Confidence, Commitment, Cooperation, Concern, Citizenship.

3. The Many Languages of Business: How you use your Hindi for communication. Mukha abhinaya and body language dictate how you succeed in business and this session will teach you to use your body, your face effectively. Voice modulation and other related abilities and proficiencies.

YEAR II

1. Business Ethics: Fair play and good business tactics. Reasons why ethical behaviour will always see you winning — even if you appear to lose initially.

2. The Art of Negotiation: Development of negotiation skills, Inter-personal skills, and Communication skills. Tips on mediation and conflict-resolution.

3. Small Business Management: Production, Quality Control, Business Management, Marketing and other related skills.

YEAR III

1. Trade and Entrepreneurship: Capital (economic opportunity conditions and economic risk), Access to markets, Labour, Law and Justice, Raw Materials Procurement, Technology, Understanding the Market for your Product, Creating a Market, The Legitimacy of entrepreneurship in India, The question of marginality.

2. The Culture of Entrepreneurship: Social norms and beliefs; understanding one’s composite culture; consumer behaviour and requirements; the ever-changing nature of norms and beliefs and how to make this work for you, Psychological motivations for achievement.

3. Accounts and Accountability: Business Maths, Accounting practices and ethics for self-managing entrepreneurs.

YEAR IV

1. The History and Cultural History of Entrepreneurship in India: A historical and comparative study of what works/has worked in India and how this compares with other countries like China, Taiwan, Korea etc.

2. The Economics of Risk: A detailed look at understanding risk, acquiring knowledge, tools to manage risk capital etc. 

3. Understanding Income Tax and other Laws.

4. Business English: There will be regular classes in Business English. Done over four years, this will include a special syllabus comprising:

• Conversation English.

• How to understand and fill in business/bank/loan forms of any kind.

• Making sense of an English newspaper.

• Understanding Stocks and shares from an English newspaper.

• Lifelong learning skills.