First National Bank (FNB) has dedicated itself to spreading financial literacy to Gauteng’s rural farm schools with the help of the 2013 Teach Children To Save South Africa Programme run by the Banking Association of South Africa.
During July FNB educated 2 000 pupils at three rural schools in Randfontein and Tarlton.
“Financial literacy education for children, especially in rural areas, is vital to ensure that the next generation grow up to be financially smart,’ says Eunice Sibiya, head of Consumer Education at FNB.
“It’s a skill that everyone must learn in order to take charge of their financial wellbeing and teaching concepts such as saving at a young age will hopefully put children on a journey to being financially responsible adults.”
FNB has educators in six regions in the country and this year they aim to surpass the target of educating 12 000 children about the importance of saving.
Paula Lesejane, FNB educator in Gauteng, has been part of the programme since its inception in 2009.
“This year I chose to work with farm schools in the Tarlton and Brandvlei area, because the children in these remote areas are often forgotten.
“It is because of this reason that I decided to return to Kwaggafontein Primary School. I received a lot of positive feedback last year and my most gratifying lessons are the ones where I get a lot of ‘light bulb’ moments. It is a sign that pupils are starting to understand the importance of saving,” she says.
During its five year involvement in the programme, FNB has reached around 46 300 children all over the country in various provinces as part of its commitment to spreading financial education principles to every corner of South Africa.
“It is important that I reach out to rural children with this programme. Financial literacy is a skill for all, not just a few,” says Lesejane.
FNB is committed to spreading financial literacy across all age groups and as a result there will be financially savvy children who make good financial decisions.
“Many people end up in financial trouble which could have been avoided if they had the knowledge on how to handle their money and programmes such as this is very important, as they contribute to creating a financially literate country,” Eunice concludes.
