Financial Education at Schools
14th February, 2014
Financial supervisors and sector associations set out cooperation strategy for financial education at schools.
The National Board of Financial Supervisors (CNSF) met with four associations representing the financial sector and representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science to set up closer collaboration by these associations in financial education projects, especially at schools.
The associations undertook to step up their involvement in financial education initiatives at schools and to develop teaching resources to assist in the inclusion of financial education in the school syllabus, in cooperation with financial supervisors and the Ministry of Education and Science. The associations' experience in financial education will constitute an important contribution to these preparations.
The attendees at the meeting also undertook to share information on international financial education forums in which they participate.
Participants
The meeting of the National Board of Financial Supervisors and financial sector associations was chaired by Carlos da Silva Costa, Governor of Banco de Portugal, and attended by the other members of the CNSF, Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the CMVM, José Figueiredo Almaça President of Instituto de Seguros de Portugal, and Pedro Duarte Neves, Vice-Governor of Banco de Portugal.
It was also attended by the presidents of four financial sector associations: Fernando Faria de Oliveira, Associação Portuguesa de Bancos (APB), Pedro Seixas Vale, Associação Portuguesa de Seguradores (APS), José Veiga Sarmento, Associação Portuguesa de Fundos de Investimento, Pensões e Patrimónios (APFIPP), and António Menezes Rodrigues, Associação de Instituições de Crédito Especializado (ASFAC).
The Ministry of Education and Science was represented by Fernando Egídio Reis, Director-General of the General Directorate of Education, and Luís Filipe Santos, Deputy Director.
Financial education at schools
The first step towards the inclusion of financial education in the school syllabus was taken in May 2013, with the approval of the financial education standard by the Secretary of State for Primary and Secondary Education. The standard was the result of a joint effort by the Ministry of Education and Science and financial supervisors as part of the National Financial Education Plan.
A new phase of the process will begin in 2014, when a teacher training programme is being launched. It will be organised by the Ministry of Education and Science assisted by the financial supervisors. The first two financial education standard teacher training courses will begin on 15 February and will be attended by teachers from the Norte region until May. Teacher training courses will be given throughout mainland Portugal in 2014 and 2015.
The financial sector associations' commitment to help develop teaching materials is an essential contribution to the introduction of financial education at schools.
Communication and Image Office
