CARDEESKWELA: Bringing financial literacy to schools

Last September 23, 2016, CARD Bank held a financial literacy workshop dubbed as CARDEESKWELA in Santiago 1 Elementary School, Brgy. Santiago, San Pablo City, Laguna. Sixty-eight (68) selected students together with their teachers and principal attended the workshop.

Previously, CARDEESKWELA is only for the members of Maagap Savers Club as part of rewards for being exemplary members of the club. Driven by CARD Bank’s passion in social development and poverty eradication, it was made also possible for schools. The CARDEESKWELA for schools aims to establish mutual relationship between CARD Bank and partner schools in advocating a program that will transform the mindset of the youth on financial management.

According to Ms. Vivian Odiame – Principal of Santiago 1, the program is very timely for their students. Teaching financial literacy to students is one of the school’s advocacies. They earnestly desire to help their students learn the habit of saving even at an early age. Recently, they integrated the basic financial management concepts to their subjects. As she mentioned, “Students need to be able to make informed judgments and effective decisions regarding the use and management of money. Teaching students how to manage money is a vital part of a child’s education. Working hand in hand with CARD Bank is a great opportunity for our students to develop financial management skills and eventually address the issue on the unreasonable spending habit of children. It is also a great avenue for us to access affordable savings facility, through CARD Bank.”

The workshop introduced the students to the importance of developing a habit of saving and proper money management. They were also guided in making simple decisions on how to wisely save, spend and share their own money and resources. This was made extra fun through interactive games, simulations and exciting treats for students.

CARDEESKWELA is a worthwhile event, filled with values and activities designed to educate the students as well as their teachers about the money management. Forty percent (40%) of the participants decided to save and open a Maagap Savings Account during the workshop. They are very eager to practice the strategies and tips on saving their “baon” little by little. The students also made commitment to helping their families lessen their expenses through responsible management of their own money and resources like water and electricity.

The school is very grateful being the beneficiary of this workshop. The principal assured that the financial concepts and values learned from this workshop will be definitely shared to other students of their school. This is just only the beginning of the long term partnership of their school to CARD Bank in pursuing advocacy on financial literacy for students.