More than 1,000 students in Madang Province have gained valuable financial literacy knowledge through the successful completion of the Young Mind Savings Campaign (YMSC), a three-day awareness programme aimed at promoting savings habits and responsible money management among school-aged children.
The campaign, held from 20–22 May 2026, brought together schools, financial institutions, government agencies and community stakeholders to encourage students to understand the importance of saving money and opening bank accounts from an early age.
The programme was conducted at Sagalau Demonstration Primary School, Holy Spirit Primary School and Kusbau Primary School. Students from Good Shepherd Secondary School also attended the afternoon session at Sagalau Primary School. Granget Primary School and Tusbab Secondary School were unable to participate due to ongoing school assessments.
The Young Mind Savings Campaign, launched in 2024, began with successful pilot programmes in Milne Bay and West New Britain provinces, resulting in more than 300 student bank accounts being opened. In August 2025, CEFI partnered with the East New Britain Provincial Government to reach 3,000 students across six schools, resulting in 500 new accounts being opened with support from financial institutions and government agencies.
The campaign continued to expand in October 2025 to Kerema District, where 3,800 students across six schools participated and 430 accounts were opened. In March 2026, a total of 2,073 bank accounts were opened during the campaign in Western Highlands Province.
The Madang programme was delivered through a partnership between the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) and the Madang Provincial Government, with support from the Bank of Papua New Guinea, the Securities Commission of Papua New Guinea and participating financial institutions including Bank South Pacific, TISA Bank, Kina Bank, Women’s Micro Bank, MiBank, NASFUND, NCSL, Nambawan Super, Nambawan Savings and Loan Society, and National Development Bank.
CEFI Executive Director Peter Samuel thanked stakeholders and participating institutions for their continued support in educating school-aged children about savings and financial responsibility.
“The purpose of the Young Mind Savings Campaign is to raise awareness and educate school students about the importance of opening and owning a bank account, as well as building a culture of saving for their future,” Mr Samuel said.
He said the continued collaboration between CEFI, financial institutions and stakeholders was helping empower students with financial knowledge while encouraging a stronger savings culture for a more secure future.
Madang Provincial Government Executive Director for Commerce, Imason Bekue, said the provincial government was proud to partner with CEFI in delivering an important educational programme aimed at preparing young people for the future.
He said the Young Mind Savings Campaign was part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between CEFI and the Madang Provincial Government in 2024, making Madang the sixth province in Papua New Guinea to implement the initiative.
Mr Bekue said the programme aligned with the Government’s Medium Term Development Plan IV and the Madang Provincial Integrated Development Plan.
“The theme of this programme reflects the importance of preparing the future generation to participate in the country’s development agenda and make informed decisions for a better future,” he said.
Speaking during the closing programme at Kusbau Primary School, Director of Economic Services Peter Sagerom acknowledged the commitment shown by teachers, students and stakeholders throughout the campaign.
“We are still learning, but we must learn how to save money. It will take time, but surely we will get there for the good of our future generations,” Mr Sagerom said.
He noted that financial education was becoming increasingly important as Papua New Guinea’s education system gradually integrates financial literacy into schools. He also highlighted ongoing challenges, including teacher training, infrastructure limitations in rural schools and the need to adapt lessons to Papua New Guinea’s diverse cultural and economic environment.
Provincial Education Director Alphonse Igag described financial literacy as an essential life skill that had been missing from the education system for many years. He said the campaign would help students develop responsible money management habits from an early age while also benefiting teachers and parents.
“We are working towards establishing financial literacy, which has been missing for the last fifty years. No wonder very few people are able to manage money properly,” Mr Igag said.
Mr Igag thanked CEFI and its partners for bringing the programme to Madang and expressed confidence that the initiative would help build a financially informed generation in the years ahead.
Kusbau Primary School Headmistress Mrs ToWillie welcomed the initiative and commended financial institutions for delivering financial education directly to schools and communities.
“Your presence shows your commitment to educating our young people about financial literacy, savings and responsibility in money management,” she said.
Sagalau Demonstration Primary School Head Teacher Francis Piska described the campaign as an important opportunity for students to learn the value of saving money and develop responsible financial habits from an early age.
“It is a privilege and blessing to have you all here at Sagalau Demonstration Primary School,” Mr Piska said.
The Young Mind Savings Campaign continues to strengthen financial education efforts across Papua New Guinea by encouraging children and young people to develop positive saving habits and financial responsibility for the future.