BDO Foundation, BSP and DepEd push financial education for pupils

BDO Foundation, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Department of Education (DepEd) are ramping up efforts to maximize the benefits of their financial education program for public school students through the K-12 curriculum. 

DepEd secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones recently issued Memo no. 32, Series of 2019, announcing the dissemination of the financial literacy learning resources in all public schools nationwide. Developed by BDO Foundation in partnership with BSP and DepEd, the resources consist of ten sets of educational videos, lesson plans and discussion guides on such topics as savings, budgeting and entrepreneurship, among others. The issuance of the memo formalized the integration of said materials in Kindergarten classes and subjects like Araling Panlipunan, Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao and Mathematics for elementary students. 

BDO Foundation, BSP and DepEd added more content to the financial education program for public schools with the release of new financial literacy videos covering topics like saving, budgeting, investments, managing debt, the responsible use of credit, entrepreneurship and avoiding scams. Photo shows (from left) BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito, DepEd secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones and BSP Center for Learning and Inclusion Advocacy managing director Pia Roman Tayag at the launch of the second batch of videos.

The learning resources for Kindergarten pupils focus on saving and the value of money. The Araling Panlipunanmaterials teach students how to save and when to spend by identifying needs versus wants. The Edukasyon saPagpapakatao lessons discuss the importance of hard work and resourcefulness in earning extra income. The Math classes, on the other hand, cover budgeting and financial planning. These materials are available on DepEd's online learning portal, where they can be readily accessed by teachers and trainers. 

"The financial education videos, lesson plans and discussion guides developed by the foundation, BSP and DepEd encourage students to learn effective ways to manage their money early on in their lives," said Mario Deriquito, president of BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO. "With the support of our dear teachers--our partners in mentoring the youth--we hope to share lessons on money matters with young Filipinos to help them achieve financial independence when they grow older."