'Should Financial Education Be Taught In Schools?' poll discussion

Former_MSE_Lawrence

Poll between 02-08 March 2009:

Should Financial Education Be Taught In Schools?

From September 2011, personal finance education will become a compulsory part of Personal, Social, Health Education (PSHE), itself part of the national curriculum (see Martin’s a nation educated into debt, but never about debt editorial comment for more).

Which of these is closest to your view?

A. It’s great news - 45% (3699 votes)
B. It’s important, but parents must share the responsibility too - 52% (4317 votes)
C. I’m against, it's a job for parents, not schools - 3% (209 votes)

Voting has now closed, but you can still click 'post reply' to discuss below. Thanks

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minerva_windsong

I voted B. I think that kids do need to be taught about finances (in the manner of the Teen Cash Class - actually, now there's a thought, stripping it of the ITV/Tonight branding and using it as an educational DVD in lessons) and that school is a good place to do that, but as Martin's editorial comment says it needs to be about making kids into savvy consumers and not just teaching them what credit cards are.

However, I do think there should be some parental responsibility involved. I grew up in a family where the attitude was 'the only debt you should have is a mortgage or a student loan, and you should pay that off as soon as possible', and whilst it was a useful attitude, it did mean I came to MoneySaving a bit late in life and now it's me teaching them stuff about shopping around for bank accounts and suchlike. So when/if I have my own children, I fully intend to teach them about those kinds of things.

hayleythedaisy

Much as in an ideal world I think it should be the parents responsibility we unfortunately do not live in an ideal world, and as some parents would never have been taught themselves, they perhaps wouldn't have the skills to pass on to their children. If you look around, there are some people who just don't grasp money sense, should their children suffer for that?
Hopefully one day we will be a nation who is well educated in personal finances to be able to teach our own families and take the responsibility back, but for now I think it's brilliant that it is being taught in schools.

wildthing01

i agree - there are many things taught in schools that some might think are the parents' responsibility, but there are many parents who can't or won't teach their children, so much as we bang on about the nanny state, i think it's necessary to teach important life skills like financial education in schools too. after all schools teach cookery/domestic science (they still do don't they???) and many would say that should be learnt in the home, so it's no different to money management.

luxor4t

Who is going to decide what pupils should be taught about money?
National Curriculum was forced onto schools by politicians & although the current situation is more realistic teachers are still used as political pawns - look at all the prosposed initiatives to 'improve' education that actually mean pupils are denied continuity as 'quick fix' is piled upon 'quick fix'.

Schools' time is jammed full already - what should be dropped? By law pupils at Key Stage 3 must be taught English, mathematics, science, history, geography, design and technology, information and communication technology, modern foreign languages, art and design, music, physical education and citizenship. Pupils must also study religious education. There are targets to meet & woe betide the school that starts to fall behind!

http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/performancetables/ks3_04/k3.shtml

kindofagilr

I voted A I think it's great news.

This society shows that parents of kids in school don't know much about finance themselves so they can't help their kids understand.

I wish I'd learnt about APR's etc at achool (and no I'm not trying to use that as an excuse)

teddyco

My parents did take an active role in helping me understand economics and finance which is why they encouraged me to go to University and take courses in those subjects.

Sadly, many parents today don't know much about economics and finance which is why so many folks get suckered by the banking industry.

This is good news for the UK, knowledge is power!

UnluckyT

B for me.I thinks it great and its about time, as long as its done in the right way,although it makes me also wonder how it going to be fitted into the school day.
Although i must say it the parent(s) responcibility to also to ensure thier children undertsand and learn such things. Parents can rely on the school too much, mine did for one or two subjects and didnt know how to broach it, doesnt always seem to much common sense used (no offence) and wonder if then somehow something was organised as a compulsory out of school thing for both parent and child to do based in the school that had an element of 'fun'. Probaby go a long way.

scotsbob

Banks, building societies and other financial institutuions are already rubbing their hands with glee.

They will be flooding schools with their professionally produced, glossy workpacks, which conveniently have their logos on them.

slummymummyof3

Children will have to be at school until 5pm before much longer in order to fit in all the extra things that are now being deemed necessary.

jexygirl

my parents taught me the value of money, I worked from aged 11 with a paper round (it was ok then!) and every year had a "summer job" which showed me rewards and paying my way. Too often we are faced with the challenge of "keeping up with others" and in that seems to be a way of showing love and that we are doing out best by our kids - but are we really? Or are we saying ask and you will get - simply because your friends have better paid parents... are we teaching well, or bowing down to pressure. I go down the route of work for it, and you can have it.. I paid rent when i left school - it was explained to me that whilst ever I was at school, they supported me, if I decided to leave, I had to work and pay my way and knowing had i stayed on to college I wouldnt have. I was brought up to pay my way, society changes and education should to. I voted its a good thing, but its also down to parents. I interviewed a young guy today, for a none skilled job, but whom Im willing to pay for courses to give qualifications, whose mum called on his behalf about the job, whose mum would be his transport, (we are a ways out, but one guy cycled 10 miles to get to interview) whom I asked whether he wanted the job, or his mum was on his case to get one... he said its mum more than me. Who is to blame there, he left school in september and did nothing since. I had a all beit crappy job the week after I left school....then went on what was then a YTS for £27 a week, of which my board was £10 a week. I knew I had to, it was how I was brought up. I went on to a 15 year career in Nursing, and then bought my own buisness, I know the value of the pound, it was instilled in me by my parents, not by school, so if parents aren't doing it, then someone needs to.
Jex