IN LINE with the celebration of the National Teachers Month/World Teachers Day is the celebration of success for teachers and teaching related personnel on their gains in applying financial literacy the way they teach it to their learners.
Just recently, BDO Network Bank, formerly One Network Bank sponsored a two-day activity for teachers of Davao Region in their desire to follow up the advocacy started by BDO Foundation in providing financial literacy education to the Filipino learners.
It can be recalled that BDO Foundation, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Department of Education (Deped) started their efforts to maximize the benefits of their financial education program for public school students through the K-12 curriculum.
It was given more teeth when DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones issued Deped Memo No. 32, s. 2019, which among others, announcing the dissemination of the financial literacy learning resources in all public schools nationwide.
The resources consist of 10 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 the materials in Kindergarten classes and subjects like Araling Panlipunan, Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao, and Mathematics for elementary students developed by BDO Foundation in partnership with BSP and Deped.
As provided during the regional launching held at Davao Christian High School, the learning resources for Kindergarten pupils focus on saving and the value of money. The Araling Panlipunan materials teach students how to save and when to spend by identifying needs versus wants. The Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao 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.
Also found in their official website https://www.bdo.com.ph/ is the message of former Undersecretary for Partnership and Networking Mario Deriquito and now president of BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO which says that 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.
He also said that with the support of our dear teachers—our partners in mentoring the youth—they hope to share lessons on money matters with young Filipinos to help them achieve financial independence when they grow older.
Lastly, BDO Foundation, BSP, and Deped added 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.
This Corner hopes that the next generations of Filipinos are better in handling financial concerns and will contribute the progress of the country in the near future.