Teach Children to Save, Invest and Plan Early: Collector Priyanka

District Collector Priyanka has called for financial literacy to become an important part of school education, saying students should learn the basics of saving, investing and managing money from an early age.

She was speaking at a financial literacy awareness programme for Mandal Educational Officers (MEOs) and headmasters at the Gurukul Girls School in Erragutta, Narayanpet. The event, organised with the support of Swatha Foundation, also saw the launch of the ‘Money Mantra’ book.

The Collector said 88 upper primary schools in Narayanpet district had been selected for the financial literacy programme, describing it as a valuable opportunity for both students and teachers.

Priyanka said financial education was about much more than simply earning money. Students should also understand how to save their income, make informed investments and plan their finances for future needs, she said.

She cautioned that young people are increasingly exposed to social media promotions and technology-driven advertisements promising quick and easy wealth. Misleading investment opportunities and the lure of high returns can lead people to make poor financial decisions and suffer losses, she warned.

According to the Collector, many students do not get an opportunity to independently manage substantial amounts of money until they complete Class 12. When they eventually begin earning or receive a large sum, a lack of financial knowledge could make it difficult for them to use their money responsibly.

This makes it essential to introduce basic financial awareness at the school level, she said.

Priyanka welcomed the implementation of the programme in the district with the support of Swatha Foundation and said efforts would be made to extend it to more schools in the coming days.

She asked teachers to set aside time for financial literacy alongside their regular lesson and subject plans. Headmasters, she said, should prepare suitable plans to ensure the programme is effectively implemented in their schools.

Noting that considerable effort had gone into developing student-friendly books and teaching material, the Collector said it was the responsibility of teachers to ensure that these resources reached students in a meaningful and effective manner.

Priyanka also said she would review the implementation of the programme during surprise visits to schools, expressing confidence that teachers would take ownership of the initiative and help equip students with financial skills that would prove useful throughout their lives.