Pretoria schools demonstrate financial expertise in national challenge
Hoërskool Garsfontein and Hoërskool Montana made their city proud by securing fourth and third place respectively in the contest.
Two Pretoria high schools, Hoërskool Garsfontein in the east and Hoërskool Montana in the north, have made their city proud by excelling in the 2024 Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Schools Challenge.
The competition is a social investment programme aimed at promoting economic literacy among Grade 12 learners.
Participants of the programme must take a combination of Economics and Pure Mathematics as subjects.
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB), working together with the Department of Basic Education, announced the winners last week.
Out of 11 finalists, Hoërskool Montana took third place, while Hoërskool Garsfontein secured fourth place, demonstrating the financial literacy and economic skills of Pretoria’s youth.
The Montana team shared their inspiring journey, from being motivated by their interest in economics and monetary policy, to preparing for the competition through in-depth research and mock sessions.
They expressed gratitude for the SARB’s presentation of events, guidance, and constructive feedback which made the challenge educational and inspiring.
The school’s marketing director, Liza Van Niekerk said performing well at the challenge will have a positive impact on their school and future academic pursuits.
She added that it would give their school good publicity, motivating younger students to pursue economics, and opening doors for future career choices.
“The team attributed their success to communication, teamwork, focus, enthusiasm, and hard work.”
Van Niekerk added that their knowledge and understanding of monetary policy, as well as their bond as a team, set them apart from other finalists.
“The challenge has significantly enhanced students’ understanding of monetary policy and economics, allowing them to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios and make informed decisions,” she said.
Hoërskool Garsfontein’s marketing director Ilze Kritzinger said they are extremely proud of earning fourth place in the competition.
She said it was not an easy contest. “Your level of understanding of how the Reserve Bank operates has to be specific and on a very high level.
“So, to achieve fourth place (for the third year in a row) in a national competition makes me very proud.”
The SARB in a statement said the challenge is now in its 12th year and has grown in popularity, with 12 schools shortlisted as finalists from across the country.
It added that the competition has become a benchmark for excellence in economic education, with over 2 000 matric learners participating annually.
“This year’s winners demonstrated exceptional understanding and analysis of monetary policy and economics, showcasing the future leaders in the field. We look forward to seeing the impact of these initiatives on the next generation of economists and leaders.”
The MPC Schools Challenge began as a pilot programme launched in 2012 in conjunction with the Gauteng Department of Education, open exclusively to public schools and independent schools.
The challenge covers all nine provinces.
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