CFFC's Sorted in Schools programme reached a major milestone on Monday, March 11, with the release of the first finalised learning package to help grow the financial capability of secondary students.
The package, which covers the topics of saving, debt, goal setting and managing my money (budgeting), is available for free to all schools through the website sortedinschools.org.nz
Sorted in Schools is the first free financial capability programme fully aligned to the National Curriculum. That means its topics can be taught as part of day to day learning in core subjects such as Maths, English, Social Studies and Technology.
Over the next two years seven more learning packages will be rolled out for Years 9-13. By the end of 2021 teachers will have eight packages to choose from, four in English and four te reo Māori for Māori Medium Education.
CFFC's Director of Learning Nick Thomson says the release of the first finalised package sees the programme gather momentum.
"It's very satisfying to reach this significant milestone and we're already looking ahead to the trial of our second package in English and the first package in te reo Māori," says Thomson.
The second package will cover the topics of KiwiSaver, retirement, insurance and investment. The first four packages are aimed at students in Years 9-10; subsequent packages will be tailored for those in Years 11-13 once the NCEA review is complete.
Sorted in Schools resources are co-constructed with teachers and each package is trialled in schools prior to being finalised. CFFC is working closely with government, including the Ministry of Education, NZQA, the Tertiary Education Commission and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to ensure the resources meet the requirements of the National Curriculum.
So far 275 secondary schools, half of those throughout New Zealand, have expressed an interest in teaching the financial capability packages. Of those, 35 are kura or mainstream schools that will teach the resources in te reo.
Thomson says the programme's vision is to ensure all young New Zealanders have equitable access to financial capability education.
"Our young people are growing up in a fast-changing environment with easy access to credit. Financial capability has become a key life skill to help them make good money decisions at each life stage, and to arrive at retirement in good financial shape," says Thomson. "Together with teachers we'll help equip them for a healthy financial future. The release of the first learning package marks the first step toward that goal."