Integrating Financial Education into School Curriculum

Financial education is already part of the school curriculum in the UK and other European countries. However, educators have raised concerns about its adequacy. Research shows that a child's attitude to money is already embedded into their mindset by the age of seven. Starting children's money education as young as five can have a positive impact on children's future financial literacy and stability. In the UK, financial organisations and charities have called for the House of Lords for more support to be made in delivering financial education.

Research that Argues the Need to Integrate Financial Education into Standardised Curriculum

Our findings argue that it is absolutely necessary for schools to integrate financial education into their curriculum starting from early years all the way up to secondary.

Financial literacy in children has been shown to have numerous positive social benefits and successful social mobility outcomes. Early financial education equips children with essential life skills, enabling them to become competent consumers and managers of household and family wealth. 

• A study by Masnan and Curugan highlights the importance of financial education in early childhood, emphasising that teaching financial concepts prepares children to handle financial responsibilities in adulthood and addresses issues like unemployment and economic instability (Masnan & Curugan, 2016).
• Research by Birbili and Kontopoulou illustrates how combining financial education with social and ethical learning helps children make responsible and compassionate financial decisions, promoting overall community well-being (Birbili & Kontopoulou, 2015).
• Sawatzki's work on integrating financial dilemmas in mathematical education shows that children who engage in financial problem-solving are better prepared for future financial decision-making, linking financial literacy to improved social mobility (Sawatzki, 2017).
• Ramli et al. demonstrate the effectiveness of tools like the Smart Money Kit in enhancing financial interest and management behavior among preschoolers, thus fostering early financial responsibility (Ramli et al., 2022).
• BenDavid-Hadar and Hadad's research underscores the role of financial education in reducing social and economic gaps, promoting better consumption habits, and ultimately contributing to social equity (BenDavid-Hadar & Hadad, 2018).