Fiona Bruce MP welcomes huge victory in her campaign for financial education in the curriculum
Fiona Bruce MP welcomes the huge victory in the campaign for financial education in schools following the publication of the new draft National Curriculum for England. The new curriculum, which is currently open for consultation, will see financial education embedded in both mathematics and in Citizenship education, making financial capability a compulsory part of the curriculum for the first time. Fiona was a lead member of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Financial Education in Schools which made recommendations for such a change.
Fiona and other MP colleagues who are also passionate about this issue met with the Prime Minister last year to call on the Government to introduce financial education to the curriculum.
Fiona Bruce MP commented:
“This vitally important issue is one I have focused on since I was elected in 2010 – indeed, it was the subject of one of my first speeches in the House. I firmly believe it is critical that children are equipped to manage their finances in a society where they are bombarded with complex financial products. I am therefore delighted the hard work of the Parliamentary Inquiry has now borne fruit and the Government have listened to our concerns
It is vital to ensure that members of the next generation are better equipped than those of the present generation to make informed financial decisions, for the sake of their well-being and that of our whole society. The heavy price paid by families in serious debt is now recognised by all. I believe that, over time, investment in financial education will reap exponential benefits for our society and firmly believe that financial education is necessary – prevention is better than cure.”
Fiona Bruce continued:
“The Parliamentary Inquiry into Financial Education in schools recommended that personal financial education should be a compulsory part of every school’s curriculum, that it should be assessed and that financial education should be cross-curricular, overlapping with maths and PSHE. I am delighted the Government have taken action are consulting on introducing these proposals into the curriculum.”
Will Spendilow of New Life Church Congleton who teaches good financial management to school pupils and who gave evidence to the Parliamentary Inquiry said:
“These recommendations are most welcome. They are timely and hit exactly the right areas where we need to educate our young people and encourage positive habits handling money decisions which can only be a good thing. I look forward to the implementation of these recommendations”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITOR
· Picture shows Fiona Bruce MP with the Prime Minister...
· There is a public consultation open on the following proposed changes to the curriculum:
o Mathematics Key Stage 3 - students will develop their use of formal mathematical knowledge to solve and devise problems within and outside mathematics, including financial mathematics.
o Citizenship Key Stage 3 - includes the functions and uses of money, the importance of personal budgeting, money management and a range of financial products and services.
o Citizenship Key Stage 4 - includes wages, taxes, credit, debt, financial risk and a range of more sophisticated financial products and services.
· The consultation period will run until 16th April 2013 and interested parties can view the consultation and register their thoughts by visiting https://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/departmentalinformation/consultations/a00221262/reform-national-curriculum
