In the ordinary halls of an elementary school, two enterprising fifth graders turned the playground into a bustling marketplace, peddling bubble gum with the business acumen of seasoned CEOs. Their venture amassed over $20,000, a testament to the gumption and entrepreneurial spirit thriving within our youth. Yet, the school administration, in a move that reeks of economic aversion, has shuttered this bubble gum empire.
The school’s actions are not only draconian but also economically myopic. By disbanding this venture, the school has effectively declared its disdain for the free market. These students weren’t merely selling gum; they were learning the ropes of supply and demand, profit margins, and the value of a dollar—lessons far more valuable than what’s typically scribbled on a chalkboard.
The administration’s decision has caused undue hardship, not just on these young moguls, but on their ‘employees’ as well. The other students, who were hired akin to store clerks, have now lost their jobs. This is not a mere cessation of a schoolyard trade; it’s a blow to the job market at its most foundational level.
Moreover, the school’s actions are an affront to entrepreneurship. By punishing these students for their initiative, the school is sending a clear message: innovation and self-startership will be met with opposition. In a world that’s constantly evolving, where startups bloom into tech giants overnight, squashing such entrepreneurial spirit is akin to denying progress.
The blame lies squarely on the school’s shoulders. In their quest to maintain order, they’ve stifled the very essence of economic growth and opportunity. The students, in their appeal against the week-long lunch detentions, stand not just for themselves, but for every young individual who dreams of creating something of their own.