Entrepreneurial Inclination among Senior Secondary Students: Examining the Role of School Syllabus

Abstract

India’s rapidly expanding startup ecosystem and digital transformation are influencing career aspirations at increasingly younger ages. While entrepreneurship has been extensively examined at the university level, limited research explores how senior secondary students perceive startups and how school education shapes their entrepreneurial thinking. This study investigates the inclination of Class XI and XII students toward entrepreneurship by analysing their motivations, awareness levels, perceived barriers, and views on curriculum support. Using a survey-based research design, the study examines whether students view entrepreneurship as a primary career choice, a supplementary pathway, or merely an aspirational idea. It further evaluates how subjects such as Business Studies, Economics, and Information Technology contribute to entrepreneurial confidence, and whether classroom learning translates into practical readiness. The findings reveal distinct patterns in students’ career preferences, digital orientation, and expectations from schools, while also highlighting notable gaps between intention and institutional support.