The Division of Finance and the Economy exposed students from several secondary schools across Tobago to lessons in financial literacy as part of Global Money Week (GMW) celebrations at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex on Tuesday.
Internationally, this year’s GMW is marked by a series of financial awareness activities from March 25-31.
An initiative of the Child and Youth Finance International, the awareness campaign was created to inspire children and young people to learn about money and entrepreneurship.
It was started by Alatoun International, a non-governmental organisation based in the Netherlands which offers social and financial education to youths.
The Finance Division’s sessions, which were interactive, used theatre presentations by a group of artists called the D Mad Company.
THA Secretary in the Division of Finance and the Economy Joel Jack said the presentations were geared towards teaching responsible money management and financial decision making at an early age.
He said they were also designed to cater to the socio-economic and financial needs of Tobagonians.
“Financial education is a critical life skill which can create positive social skills, enhance employability and provide greater financial empowerment for our young adults,” Jack said.
The students were also given financial advice from Financial Services Ombudsman Dominic Stoddard.
“The first thing you need to do is develop a money management mindset where you as young people would set aside your beliefs. What you desire, you too can have it if you work towards having it one day,” Stoddard told the students.
He also advised them to spend less than they earned, seek advice from people with experience and create passive income.