Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell has called on local schools to take part in My Money Week (June 3-9), giving pupils the chance to learn more about money and personal finance.
Every primary and secondary school in his constituency is being given the chance to take part for free in My Money Week, which has returned for its fifth year and been extended to include Scotland, thanks to a new partnership between charity pfeg (Personal Finance Education Group) and Barclays.
My Money Week will improve young people’s financial skills, knowledge and confidence through special lessons, activities and debates in schools and other settings across the UK.
Teachers in Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale can order a free activity pack, full of creative and engaging financial resources and ideas for how to deliver financial education to young people.
Mr Mundell said: “This initiative is a really fun and interactive means to help schools give our young people the skills the need for the future. All the evidence suggests that teaching children about financial skills and independence early on in life is the most effective way to teach them how to be responsible with their money. These sorts of skills are also very important in a number of careers and can easily be combined and made part of cross circular activities boosting decision making and numeracy skills.”
“I know a number of schools in my constituency are already taking part in this and other similar schemes but I wanted to do what I could to promote the My Money Week as I think it is really important. As the difficult economic conditions we have been facing show us, it is vital that people can make the most of what they have and I hope other schools will take the opportunity to join in this year.”
Since the first My Money Week in 2009, more than three million young people have been helped to understand more about money and personal finance through focused activities in schools. In 2012, around 500,000 young people took part in My Money Week activities, with 99 percent of teachers reporting an increase in skills and knowledge and 91 percent of teachers reporting a shift in students’ attitudes towards money.