The Market

“Tai, the eggs Yash is selling just aren’t selling!”

“But you’ve sold everything in your shop!”

“Yes, Tai, but the eggs…”

“Alright, let’s see what we can do.”

Then the children discussed the problem together. They advised Yash to lower his prices. He sold the eggs at a loss, but he was happy that he had managed to sell them all.

This scene comes from the market organised every year for our primary school students. It gives children a real, hands-on experience of buying and selling.

The fourth graders decide what to sell. One year, they chose fragile items, including glass bangles, clay whistles, and balloons. Another year, they sold vegetables. Some children were so tired that they fell asleep after completing their accounts. They had woken up early to buy vegetables from the wholesale market!

For nearly a month, the children manage the entire process themselves. They prepare budgets, buy stock, set prices, sell goods, and calculate their final earnings or losses.

They visit markets near the school, their homes, and along their daily routes. They observe shops and vendors, chat with them, and ask questions. Then they decide what to sell, how much stock to buy, and how much money they will need. Their teachers guide them through these decisions.

Through this experience, children learn everyday maths, money management, and decision-making. They also begin to understand the effort behind every sale and develop respect for the people who earn their living by selling goods.