Project
Project
Objectives
2. To identify how poor customer service affects pupils' willingness to buy from the tuckshop.
Introduction
In the world of commerce, customer service is a vital component of business success. Good
customer service can attract and retain customers, while poor service can drive them away. In
schools, tuckshops function as small-scale retail outlets that serve pupils and staff. This project
seeks to examine how customer service at the MFM Academy school tuckshop influences
pupils’ buying habits and to propose solutions for improving service delivery.
Background
The tuckshop at MFM Academy sells a range of snacks, drinks, and stationery. However,
complaints have been made by pupils regarding the attitude of tuckshop staff, long waiting
times, and inconsistent service. According to Kotler & Armstrong (2018), customer satisfaction
is closely linked to repeat business. This project investigates whether poor customer service at
the tuckshop is reducing its daily sales and affecting pupil satisfaction.
Definition of Terms
Research Questions
1. Do pupils feel satisfied with the service provided at the school tuckshop?
Pupils at MFM Academy have expressed dissatisfaction with the customer service at the school
tuckshop. Complaints include unfriendly staff, delays in service, and poor handling of customers.
This may lead to reduced sales and negative experiences for pupils.
Statement of Intent
This project aims to examine how poor customer service impacts sales at the tuckshop and to
develop a solution that improves service delivery and customer satisfaction.
Design Specifications
The project used a sample of 10 pupils who responded to a questionnaire. Observations and
suggestions were collected. Posters were used to communicate the planned solution—a
"Customer Service Awareness Week" for the tuckshop staff.
These solutions show that improving customer service often requires consistent monitoring
and staff involvement.
Stage 3 – Generation of Ideas
Developed Solutions
Chosen Solution:
It is low-cost and easily manageable within the school environment. It also promotes better
interaction between staff and students, improving overall customer satisfaction.
Materials Used:
Questionnaires
Poster paper
Suggestion bo
Rating slips
Feedback notebook
Development Process:
A five-day Customer Service Training Week was organized, where tuckshop staff were
encouraged to greet pupils, serve quickly, and listen to feedback. A service rating box was
placed next to the counter, allowing pupils to rate the service daily using simple smiley faces or
comments.
A sample of 10 pupils from MFM Academy was used to gather feedback before and after
implementing the solution. Before the Customer Service Week, pupils reported that staff were
sometimes rude or unbothered. Some even said they avoided buying at the tuckshop due to
poor treatment.
When asked what they would like to see improved, pupils mentioned faster service, smiling staff,
and better listening to customer needs. After implementing the Customer Service Week, 8 out of
the 10 pupils reported a noticeable improvement in staff behavior. They felt more welcomed
and were more willing to make purchases.
Pupils also appreciated being able to rate service through the box. The tuckshop saw increased
traffic, especially during break time, as pupils felt more encouraged to visit. This confirmed that
customer service has a major influence on sales and satisfaction at the school tuckshop.
Evaluation
The project went well, although it was hard to get the staff to take the training seriously at first.
Once they saw the positive feedback from pupils, they became more involved. Some pupils
forgot to fill in the service rating slips, but overall participation was good.
Recommendations
Reward the most polite tuckshop staff member at the end of each term.
Introduce posters promoting good service principles like patience and politeness.
References
Kotler, P., & Armstrong, G. (2018). Principles of Marketing (17th ed.). Pearson Education.
The World Bank. (2019). Customer Satisfaction and Sales: African Perspectives.
2. How do you feel about the way tuckshop staff treat pupils?
Candidate number:
Subject: Commerce
Level: O Level
Component B
Project Title: Developing a Simple Advertising Board to Help Local Vendors Promote Their
Goods
Objectives:
To design and produce a reusable, affordable advertising board using locally available materials.
Small vendors around the MFM Academy community lack proper advertising methods to
promote their goods and services. As a result, they attract fewer customers and experience
reduced sales. This problem is particularly noticeable among fruit sellers and table-top traders
who simply display their products without any promotional materials.
Statement of Intent:
The aim of this project is to design and create a simple, low-cost advertising board that small
vendors near MFM Academy can use to display their product names and prices clearly, thereby
increasing customer attention and boosting sales.
Design Specifications:
Made from materials such as cardboard, wooden sticks, transparent plastic, paint, and glue.
Modified solution
Innovated idea
New idea
Chosen Solution:
The Foldable Cardboard Stand with Plastic Covering was chosen because it is affordable,
lightweight, and suitable for small vendors who move their goods daily.
Why It Was Chosen:
Materials Used:
Cardboard
Wooden skewers
Development Process:
The advertising board was given to a local fruit vendor outside MFM Academy. Over 3 days,
more customers stopped to read the board, and the vendor reported an increase in sales.
Functionality:
How They Were Overcome: Used cardboard boxes from nearby shops and transparent wrapping
bags.
Recommendations:
References:
Kotler, P., & Keller, K. (2016). Marketing Management (15th ed.). Pearson Education.
[11/05, 11:41] +263 77 712 8129: The Effects of School Canteen Prices on Buying Choices of
Pupils at MFM Academy
Subject: Economics
Introduction
Consumer behavior is a key concept in Economics, especially regarding the impact of prices on
demand. Secondary school pupils are active consumers in their school environment, particularly
at the school canteen. Their decisions are influenced by available income (pocket money),
preferences, and most importantly, the prices of goods. This project focuses on understanding
how canteen pricing at MFM Academy affects the purchasing decisions of its pupils and aims
to propose possible solutions to improve affordability and food access.
Background
The school canteen at MFM Academy offers a variety of snacks and drinks. However, there
have been frequent informal complaints among pupils that some of the canteen items are
overpriced. According to the Law of Demand, when the price of a good increases, the quantity
demanded generally decreases (Mankiw, 2020). This project was designed to find out if this law
holds true within a school context and how pricing changes might improve student welfare.
Definition of Terms
Consumer: A person who purchases goods and services for personal use.
Demand: The willingness and ability of consumers to buy goods at different prices.
Price Elasticity: The responsiveness of the quantity demanded of a good to changes in its
price.Purchasing Power: The financial ability to buy products or services.
Canteen: A place in school where food and snacks are sold to pupils and staff.
Objectives
1. To investigate how prices at the school canteen influence what pupils choose to buy.
3. To explore possible ways to improve affordability and access to food items for pupils.
Research Questions
1. What types of goods do pupils usually buy from the school canteen?
Many pupils at MFM Academy are dissatisfied with the current canteen prices. They often
report being unable to buy their preferred snacks and drinks due to high prices. This limits their
choices and affects their satisfaction with school meals.
Statement of Intent
This project aims to identify how price affects pupils’ canteen buying decisions and to suggest
affordable and effective pricing solutions that can improve student satisfaction and access to
meals.
Design Specifications
The project involved conducting a short survey with 10 pupils using questionnaires, analyzing
the results, and introducing a simple pricing solution (Discount Day). Materials used included
paper, pen, posters, and a suggestion box.
These examples show that pricing strategies and student engagement can improve satisfaction,
although each solution has its limitations.
Developed Solutions
1. Discount Day
Chosen Solution:
This idea was chosen because it directly addresses the price issue in a simple and low-cost way,
while also involving pupils in decision-making. It does not require significant investment and can
be implemented immediately.
Materials Used:
Questionnaire forms
Development Process:
A Friday was chosen as the school’s Discount Day. Posters were made and placed around the
school. Selected items were sold at lower prices. A suggestion box was placed near the canteen
for feedback. Purchases and reactions were monitored over a two-week period.
A total of 10 O-Level pupils from MFM Academy participated in the study. Each pupil shared
their weekly spending, favorite canteen item, and whether prices influenced their choices.
Most pupils (7 out of 10) stated that prices were a major factor in their decision-making. Pupils
with limited funds often chose cheaper items like plain buns or water, while those with more
pocket money could afford sausage rolls, drinks, or chips. Many pupils reported that they would
buy more or different items if prices were lowered.
Sausage rolls and chips were popular among pupils, but their relatively high price made them
unaffordable for some. Drinks, though popular, were frequently mentioned as being too
expensive.
When pupils were asked to give suggestions, the most common ideas included lowering prices
on certain items, offering combo meals, and having occasional discount offers.
The implementation of a Discount Day resulted in visibly increased canteen sales and higher
pupil satisfaction. Many pupils reported looking forward to Fridays because they could buy more
food for less. This confirmed that price changes do influence buying behavior at the school level.
Evaluation
The project ran smoothly overall, but there were a few challenges. Some pupils forgot the
Discount Day and missed out on the promotion. It was also difficult to monitor every purchase
and measure exact spending without interfering with pupils’ privacy. However, the suggestion
box worked well, and pupils were eager to participate.
Recommendations
Review prices regularly and adjust according to pupil demand and affordability.
References
OECD. (2019). School Nutrition and Affordability Programs. Organisation for Economic Co-
operation and Development.
World Bank. (2020). Youth Spending and Price Sensitivity in Africa. World Bank Group Report.
1. How much money do you usually spend at the canteen each week?
4. Have you ever avoided buying something because it was too expensive? (Yes/No)
Subject: Economics
Introduction
Many young people are given pocket money by parents or guardians to meet daily school
expenses. However, how they choose to spend or save this money can significantly affect their
financial habits in the future. Early exposure to saving practices helps young people build
financial discipline. This project explores how O-Level pupils at MFM Academy use their pocket
money and whether they adopt saving behavior.
Background
In today’s economy, financial responsibility is an essential life skill. One way to teach this is
through saving habits formed at a young age. Studies have shown that children who are
encouraged to save early often grow into financially responsible adults (Furnham, 1999). At
MFM Academy, pupils are given pocket money regularly, but informal observations suggest that
many spend it all without saving. This project aims to test if structured saving programs and
small incentives can encourage better saving habits.
Objectives
To find out whether pupils at MFM Academy save part of their pocket money.
Many pupils at MFM Academy receive pocket money, which is defined as a small amount of
money given to children by parents or guardians to use at their discretion (Furnham, 1999).
However, despite receiving this money, a significant number of pupils do not save any part of it.
The lack of saving among pupils suggests poor financial discipline which, if not addressed early,
could lead to financial mismanagement in adulthood. Saving is defined as the act of setting
aside a portion of current income for future use (Mankiw, 2020).
Research Question 1: Do O-Level pupils at MFM Academy save part of their pocket money?
Statement of Intent
This project aims to examine pupils’ saving behavior and promote better saving habits by
conducting a saving challenge over four weeks. The project will also introduce motivational
incentives, defined as rewards or encouragements given to promote desired behavior (Ndungu,
2019).
Research Question 2: How does the amount of pocket money received influence saving
behavior?
Design Specifications
The project will use simple materials: small labelled envelopes for saving, weekly tracking
sheets, and printed certificates for motivation. The purpose is to determine whether rewards
can positively influence pupils' saving behavior.
Research Question 3: Can structured incentives and challenges improve savings among
students?
Several strategies have been used in different places to address the issue of poor saving habits
among youths. Below are four solutions examined:
Pupils were taught financial literacy, which refers to the knowledge and understanding of basic
financial concepts and skills such as budgeting, saving, and spending wisely (OECD, 2014).
Chosen Solution:
The project selected the Monthly Saving Challenge with Certificates as it combines motivation
and monitoring, which are proven factors in changing behavior.
Materials Used:
Tracking sheets
Certificates as incentives
Process:
Research Sample:
A sample of 10 O-Level pupils from MFM Academy was selected using stratified sampling. Data
was collected through short questionnaires and monitored savings.
RQ2: Those who received more pocket money tended to save more.
Evaluation:
Some pupils forgot or did not understand the tracking process in the first week.
Recommendations:
Atwine, A., Nansubuga, F., & Namutebi, C. (2016). School-Based Financial Literacy Programs in
Uganda. Kampala University Press.
Furnham, A. (1999). The Saving and Spending Habits of Young People. Journal of Economic
Psychology, 20(6), 677–697.
Ndungu, K. (2019). Savings Challenges in Kenyan Schools. Nairobi Economics Review, 18(2),
34–39.
OECD. (2014). Financial Education for Youth: The Role of Schools. Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development.
ABSA Youth Program Report. (2021). Youth Banking and Digital Saving Tools in South Africa.
ABSA Foundation.
Project Title: The Impact of Pocket Money on Saving Habits Among O-Level Pupils
Instructions: Please answer the questions honestly. Your responses will be kept confidential
and used only for academic purposes.
1. Age: __________
2. Gender:
[ ] Male
[ ] Female
3. Grade/Form:
[ ] Form 3
[ ] Form 4
[ ] Less than $2
[ ] $2–$4
( ] $5–$7
[ ] More than $7
[ ] Parents
[ ] Guardian
[ ] Food/snacks
[ ] Transport
[ ] Stationery
[ ] Other: _______________
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] Less than $1
[ ] $1–$2
[ ] More than $2
[ ] Piggy bank
[ ] Envelopes
[ ] With parents/guardian
[ ] Other: _______________
[ ] Parents encourage me
[ ] Other: _______________
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
12. Do you think receiving a certificate or reward for saving would motivate you?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] Yes. [ ] No
14. In your opinion, why do some pupils not save their money?
15. What can schools do to help pupils develop better saving habits?
[11/05, 11:41] +263 77 712 8129: Here's a sample questionnaire you can use for your
Commerce project to gather data from local vendors and customers about advertising and the
effectiveness of the board:
---
Project Title: Developing a Simple Advertising Board to Help Local Vendors Promote Their
Goods
Year: 2025
[ ] Fruits
[ ] Vegetables
[ ] Clothes
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] Handwritten signs
[ ] Flyers
[ ] Word of mouth
[ ] Other: ___________
4. How effective do you think your current advertising is?
[ ] Very effective
[ ] Somewhat effective
[ ] Not effective
[ ] Not applicable
5. Would you be willing to use a low-cost advertising board like the one described in this project?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] Maybe
6. What features would you want on your advertising board? (Select all that apply)
[ ] Waterproof
[ ] Reusable
[ ] Lightweight
[ ] Colourful design
[ ] Easy to carry
---
[ ] No
[ ] Sometimes
[ ] Display of goods
[ ] Cleanliness
[ ] Prices
[ ] Advertising board/sign
[ ] Other: ___________
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
4. Did the board help you understand what was being sold?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] Somewhat