Alex Cunningham is encouraging local schools to put on money lessons this June to give their pupils a head-start in financial education before it becomes a compulsory part of the new National Curriculum in September.
The calls from Labour’s Stockton North MP come in advance of this year’s My Money Week, run by national financial education charity Personal Finance Education Group (pfeg) between 9-15 June. Having reached approximately 1.3 million young people in more than 4,500 schools and other settings across the UK in 2013, this year’s theme will be current affairs and will challenge young people to improve their financial skills, knowledge and confidence through topical lessons and activities on personal finance.
Every primary and secondary school in Stockton North is being given the chance to take part in My Money Week, which aims to help young people learn more about money and personal finance, for free, and free online resources are being offered to teachers in Stockton North by pfeg, along with advice and training to help plan their activities.
Alex said:
“As a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Financial Education for Young People, I have long championed financial education lessons for our young people to make sure that they have the right knowledge and skills to make sensible and informed financial decisions.
“My Money Week is the perfect opportunity to make the most of the assistance on offer and get ahead of the curve by helping our young people to learn more about money and understand personal finances before financial education becomes a compulsory part of the National Curriculum in the new school year this September.
“I hope that every school across the Stockton Borough, whether primary or secondary, will take up the initiative and help pupils to appreciate the importance of understanding finances.”
Tracey Bleakley, Chief Executive of pfeg, said: “Alex is absolutely right to call for all local schools to take part in My Money Week, which is a terrific opportunity to help pupils learn more about money in a fun and engaging way. We are delighted to have his support for what we hope will be Stockton North’s best My Money Week yet.”
