The Department of Education (DepEd) has partnered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to promote financial literacy, sound investment strategies, investor protection, and anti-scam awareness in schools.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara and SEC Chairperson Emilio Aquino signed the memorandum of agreement on October 9, 2014, marking the agencies’ commitment in promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth and investor protection.
The initiative is part of the SEC Communication Advocacy and Network, which seeks to embed these vital financial concepts into the curriculum, equipping students with life skills that will aid them in personal finance management and entrepreneurial pursuits.
This collaboration is to be rolled out across DepEd-NCR (National Capital Region) and integrates lessons about the importance of saving, investing, and financial decision-making as early as elementary school.
DepEd NCR Regional Director Jocelyn Andaya emphasized during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on Tusday, October 15, that the early introduction of financial literacy concepts. “As early as Grade 1, students are taught how to save their daily allowance and why it’s essential to do so. While these discussions start at a basic level, they become more in-depth as students advance through their education,” she explained. “The curriculum is designed to progressively increase students’ understanding of financial management, with topics becoming more complex by the time they reach junior high and senior high school,” she added.
At the secondary level, students begin to explore critical questions such as, “Why save or invest?” and are introduced to avenues for entrepreneurial activities. By senior high, financial literacy covers topics like investment opportunities and entrepreneurship, encouraging students to actively consider how they can apply these principles in real-world situations.
SEC’s role in enhancing entrepreneurship pathways
DepEd Assistant Regional Director Cristito Eco highlighted how this partnership aligns with DepEd’s four pathways for senior high school graduates: employment, entrepreneurship, higher education, and middle-level skills development.
“This partnership with SEC and DepEd will help support two significant pathways: employment and entrepreneurship. We believe this collaboration will reconfigure our curriculum to balance skill development with entrepreneurial competencies, helping our students become better equipped for the future,” Eco stated.
The program is particularly beneficial for students in the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) track. Currently, the TVL curriculum is heavily geared toward skill development, with the focus on providing students with the hands-on training needed to secure National Certification (NC) from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). This certification enables students to apply for jobs immediately after graduation. However, through the SEC collaboration, DepEd aims to enhance the entrepreneurship component, teaching students how to turn their skills into business ventures.
Real-world applications and teacher involvement
Schools across NCR are already incorporating practical applications of financial literacy. For instance, in Caloocan, Schools Division Superintendent Jenilyn Rose B. Corpuz shared that students in the TVL track are applying the entrepreneurship skills they learn through immersive activities. “For example, our students are being trained in bartending. Through the skills they acquire, they are learning how to establish small-scale businesses, and that includes financial literacy,” she explained.
Corpuz also noted that teachers are being trained in financial literacy to ensure they can effectively teach these concepts to students. “We ensure that our teachers attend training sessions on financial literacy because it should start with them. By equipping teachers with the necessary knowledge, we are empowering them to pass these critical skills on to their students.”
Addressing financial habits among teachers
The financial literacy initiative is not only directed at students but also extends to teachers. Paranaque Schools Division Superintendent Nerissa L. Losaria highlighted the importance of fostering financial literacy among educators. “We want our teachers to learn the habit of saving and investing wisely. It’s essential that they live within their means and avoid unnecessary loans,” Losaria stated. The program aims to help teachers manage their finances better, ensuring they serve as role models for their students.
Broader impact on the education sector
DepEd’s collaboration with SEC represents a significant step toward building a financially literate and entrepreneurially driven generation. By integrating these essential life skills into the curriculum, the partnership is set to equip students and teachers alike with the knowledge they need to make informed financial decisions. With cities across NCR actively promoting these principles through practical applications and teacher training, the initiative is expected to have a lasting impact on the educational landscape. (PIA-NCR/AVS)
