According to entrepreneur and Maistech owner, Teciomar Abila, financial education in the school curriculum is a topic gaining increasing relevance in a society marked by consumerism, easy credit, and the need for planning. Teaching from an early age how to manage money, understand concepts of budgeting, saving, and investing is about preparing students for adult life in a more conscious and responsible way. Including this subject in schools represents not only a pedagogical innovation but also an essential step toward forming more autonomous citizens who are prepared to face future challenges.
Be inspired to understand how financial education can transform students’ lives, shaping citizens who are ready to handle the challenges of consumption and finances in the future.
Why should financial education be introduced early?
Financial education is fundamental for children and adolescents to develop healthy consumption and resource management habits. By learning to manage an allowance, plan small expenses, and understand the difference between wants and needs, young people build a solid foundation for making smarter decisions throughout life. This knowledge helps reduce debt levels and promotes a more balanced relationship with money.
Moreover, introducing financial education into the school curriculum helps reduce social inequalities. Many young people lack this type of guidance at home, making school the ideal environment to democratize this knowledge. In this way, equal opportunities are created so that all students have access to the same planning tools.
Another important aspect, according to Teciomar Abila, is preparation for a future marked by constant economic and technological changes. With financial literacy, students are better equipped to deal with new forms of work, digital consumption, and even investments, developing resilience in the face of market uncertainties.
What benefits does financial education bring to citizenship development?
Among the main benefits of financial education is the development of more critical and conscious citizens. Exposure to concepts of personal and collective economics raises awareness in young people that every financial decision has consequences. As emphasized by Teciomar Abila, this fosters a more responsible outlook toward consumption and the use of available resources.
Another benefit is the strengthening of autonomy. Young people who learn to control expenses, save, and invest become adults better prepared to manage financial responsibilities, avoiding common pitfalls of debt. The consistent practice of these concepts also stimulates strategic thinking and long-term planning skills.
How can financial education be effectively implemented in schools?
The implementation of financial education in the school curriculum should be practical and contextualized. Working with real-life situations—such as planning a field trip, organizing a school fair, or simulating a household budget—makes learning more meaningful and applicable to students’ daily lives.
Teacher training is also a decisive factor. For financial education to be effective, educators must receive proper training, with access to innovative methodologies and teaching resources that make the subject more engaging. This strengthens teachers’ confidence and ensures the topic is taught consistently.
Finally, another important approach, as highlighted by Teciomar Abila, is integration with other subjects. Mathematics, for example, can address interest rate and percentage calculations, while social sciences can discuss conscious consumption and social inequality. In this way, financial education becomes cross-disciplinary, connecting knowledge and enhancing learning in a broad and integrated manner.
Author: Clodayre Daine
