A Two-week Financial Education Content Alignment and Development Workshop is being held at Tuhava Resort, outside Port Moresby, from October 21st to November 1st, 2024.
The workshop focuses on creating Teacher Resource Books and Student Activity Books for students in Preparatory to Grade 6.
It is funded by the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) and facilitated in collaboration with the Department of Education (DOE)- Curriculum Development Division (CDD).
The workshop was officially opened by First Assistant Secretary – Curriculum Development Division, Mr. Steven Tandale, and witnessed by CEFI’s Executive Director, Mr. Saliya Ranasinghe, and Deputy Director, Mr. Peter Samuel.
A total of 25 participants from diverse educational backgrounds, including primary school teachers, DOE-CDD curriculum officers, and CEFI staff, attended the workshop. Their combined expertise will help ensure the developed materials are both comprehensive and applicable in real classroom settings.
This workshop is a crucial step in integrating financial education into the national curriculum. Participants will engage in content writing and discussions to create high-quality educational resources that cover important financial topics like savings, budgeting, banking services, debt management, investments, and insurance. These resources aim to promote informed decision-making and improve students’ financial awareness from an early age.
The workshop also aims to align financial education content with the existing syllabus for various grades:
- Prep to Grade 2: Culture and Community
- Grades 3-5: Social Science
- Grades 6-8: Making a Living
- Grades 9-12: Business Studies
A follow-up workshop will be held before the year ends to develop resources for Grades 7-12, focusing on advanced topics like investment, superannuation, and retirement.
The expected outcome of the workshop is the creation of 14 essential educational resources;7 Teacher Resource Books and 7 Student Activity Books, to support financial education for Prep to Grade 6. This aligns with the national government’s priorities:
- Vision 2050: Emphasizes financial literacy and wealth creation.
- PNG Strategic Development Plan 2030: Focuses on inclusive education and financial literacy.
- National Education Plan (NEP): Highlights the need for a curriculum that meets local needs and imparts technical skills.
- Financial Sector Development Strategy: Stresses the need for a financially literate society.
- National Financial Inclusion Policy: Calls for financial inclusion to be integrated into the national curriculum.
Since 2021, following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Mr. Tandale acknowledged that while plans for developing financial education curriculum had been discussed for years, significant progress has been made since the partnership with CEFI began.
CEFI Executive Director, Mr. Saliya Ranasinghe, reminded participants that it is now mandatory for all Papua New Guinea students to undergo financial education in schools. He praised the DOE, especially Mr. Tandale, for their leadership in advancing financial literacy, emphasizing the importance of teaching these skills early to shape a better future.
CEFI Deputy Director, Mr. Peter Samuel, encouraged participants to be “game changers” who will drive a positive impact for the next generation, stressing the importance of changing mindsets to prepare students for the future.
This workshop marks a significant step in embedding financial education into the education system, with the ultimate goal of preparing PNG’s students to become financially responsible adults.
