Te whai hua – kia ora, Sorted in Schools

Students today have greater access to credit than any other generation. From an early age they risk being sucked into cycles of bad debt that can hold them back.

Our youth need knowledge and skills to help them make good money decisions at each life stage, and to arrive at retirement in good financial shape. New Zealand’s ageing population means today’s students will live longer; the earlier they start being good with money, the better.

We need students to leave school confident about what money is and how to make it work for them.

We have been working to address this and, in late 2017, gained approval from government to implement a financial capability programme for secondary school students over a four-year period.

The programme is named Sorted in Schools after our trusted brand and website sorted.org.nz. The vision for the programme is to ensure all young New Zealanders are equipped for their financial future.

In March 2019, Sorted in Schools launched its first learning and teaching package for years 9-10 for the New Zealand Curriculum. The package is based on the theme of financial identity, and includes topics such as managing my money, debt, savings and goal setting.

The launch of package two, financial sustainability, followed in June 2019. Financial sustainability includes topics such as KiwiSaver, retirement, insurance and investment.

Māori Medium Education

Sorted in Schools is committed to ensuring every young New Zealander has equitable access to financial capability education. Sorted in Schools has developed the first Māori Medium Education (financial capability resources in te reo Māori for years 9-10).  The financial identity package was launched in June 2019 and the financial sustainability package was launched in November 2019.

Sorted in Schools resources are co-constructed by teachers, for teachers and each package is trialled with schools prior to being finalised. Feedback from the trials is used to refine and shape the future of the programme.

By 2021, Sorted in Schools will have rolled out eight teaching and learning packages across years 9-13. Four for the New Zealand Curriculum and four for Māori Medium Education in te reo Māori. 

A key success measure for the programme is ensuring all young New Zealanders have equitable access to financial capability. It’s important for the programme to reflect cultural viewpoints of New Zealand’s diverse student population.

Sorted in Schools works closely with government, including the Ministry of Education, NZQA, the Tertiary Education Commission and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). 
 
If you’d like to be involved in Sorted in Schools register your interest here. You can contact us anytime at schools@sorted.org.nz

• By 2021, all learners in years 9-13 will have equitable access to the Sorted in Schools programme, including Māori and Pasifika learners.
• Financial capability is integrated across the New Zealand Curriculum and Māori Medium Education.
• Quality financial education resources are accessible, easy to use and respond to diverse learner needs.
• Increased collaborative partnerships that support schools, their communities, parents, family and whānau to build financial capability for learners.