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).

 

Financial Literacy Resources

Downloadable Information for Media

For Schools

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.

Learn more about why it is necessary for schools to do more to integrate financial literacy into the curriculum.

For Employers

The benefits of financial fluency across your employee population are extensive. Individuals and employers lose billions due to lost productivity, absenteeism, and higher healthcare costs due to an employee’s financial stress.

The DEI Case for Financial Wellness

A PDF slide deck explaining importance of financial literacy for employee wellbeing and how it contributes to the organisation's diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

For Brand Impact

We offer infinite ways you can show your brand cares about its social impact. Through our growing network of vetted service delivery partners, we ensure your social impact is delivered and reported on in accordance to the UN impact monitoring and measurement standards.

Explore brand sponsorship opportunities

For Charities

We work with licensed charities to delivery our programmes into their communities.

Learn about how we are working with Kangemi Resource Centre in Nairobi.

Rebecca Ellis

About the Founder, Rebecca Ellis

DIRECTOR AND TREASURER, PURPOSEFUL INNOVATORS CIC | FOUNDER/EDUCATOR, WEALTH ANGELS GLOBAL | ARIF QUALIFIED | SWISS-BASED INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISOR | FOUNDER, REBECCA ELLIS CONSULTANCY | CO-FOUNDER, BLUE TIGER EYE WELLNESS | CONSULTANT, HOUSE OF BEAU LLC | SWISS EX-INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S RUGBY PLAYER | RCMG CERN WILD CATS WOMEN’S RUGBY PLAYER

Download Rebecca Ellis' Speaker Deck