News release
Money matters for West Lothian pupils
A unique and exciting new education resource has been launched in West Lothian.
gr8@cash is targeted at supporting the financial education of pupils in S3 and S4 but is flexible enough to be easily used at most stages of secondary education.
The resource pack was launched at Linlithgow Academy (18 March) by the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Fiona Hyslop and will provide young people with information and activities, which will encourage them to understand and apply their knowledge of money in authentic, real life contexts.
The free pack, which contains information booklets, interactive tasks, a CD and a teachers' pack, will be rolled out to all secondary schools in West Lothian and will provide guidance on banking, saving, budgeting and credit, which will reflect upon the sorts of financial decisions and choices pupils may face in the future.
In addition to providing contexts for numeracy within A Curriculum for Excellence, gr8@cash also promotes cross cutting themes such as Citizenship and Enterprise in Education.
West Lothian Council's Education Services and Financial Inclusion teams produced the pack.
Executive councillor for education, Andrew Miller, said: "It is becoming increasingly important to educate young people about the importance of good financial management and the gr8@cash resource does just that. Helping young people get a grounding in finance, whilst emphasising its importance is key to sound decision-making later in life.
"The gr8@cash resource is packed with fresh ways for pupils to learn about money matters through interactive tasks and activities to support learning.
"Teachers will be given flexibility on how they choose to implement the programme and the packs will also include advice for teachers to help get the right messages across."
West Lothian Council's Director of Education and Cultural Services, Gordon Ford, added: "Our Education Services and Financial Inclusion teams have done a wonderful job in creating this useful resource.
"We are committed to tailoring this project to the needs of young people and are currently working on a similar resource which will focus on the primary-secondary transition phases. This resource is expected to be distributed to schools around Easter of this year and will focus on educating young people about money matters in a fun but informative way."
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: "Through Curriculum for Excellence we are transforming the way that children learn, making sure they have the knowledge and skills to prepare them for their future.
"Financial education forms an important part of this learning process and the Scottish Government recognises the contribution made by Scotland's financial sector in developing the financial capability of our young people.
"We need to ensure that young people have the opportunities to develop skills for learning, life and the workplace and I'm pleased to see the progress that Linlithgow Academy pupils are making to develop their understanding of money and finance."
Date: 18-03-2008