Provincial funding supports money literacy webinar for students

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 27, 2024.

A portion of funding budgeted in 2022 to support financial literacy programming was provided to Enriched Academy to host a free webinar Tuesday night for students from Grades 4-12 and teachers focused on saving, budgeting and investing.

The province announced the investment of $5 million of the next three years in May 2022, and Enriched Academy received close to 60 per cent of that funding as the government provides $900,000 annually toward the academy that works with schools and divisions to provide students with financial and life skills.

“The ability to make wise financial decisions are fundamental life skills Alberta’s youth need to develop as they grow into adulthood,” states a press release.

The webinar used a gameshow format to engage students to learn how credit works and how to manage credit and their personal finances.

Educators could also access lesson plans, activities and interactive tools from Enriched Academy’s website to support financial literacy learning within the provincial curriculum.

Sonya Fox, Alberta director with Enriched Academy, says its partnership with the government has enabled the delivery of “transformational” financial and money education to approximately 600,000 students across the province.

“As a high school teacher, I’ve witnessed firsthand how financial literacy education empowers students, increasing their confidence in money management and preparing them to be financially responsible,” said Fox. “Investments in financial literacy are investments in our students’ futures and I’m already seeing it pay dividends for Alberta Students.”

The province’s K-6 curriculum includes a stronger foundation in financial literacy as well as an increased emphasis on money management skills.