Financial education should start from primary school. It should be invested in promoting financial literacy because it contributes to better financial decisions and a sound economy. This was highlighted today at the public event where awards were handed to the students from primary and secondary schools for the best literary and art works competition on the occasion of the International Saving Day and the International Insurance Day. The event was held on the Ministry of Finance premises, and was attended by the Minister of Finance, Mr. Dragan Tevdovski, the Governor of the National Bank, Mrs. Anita Angelovska Bezhoska and the President of the Council of Experts of the Insurance Supervision Agency, Mr. Klime Poposki.
- "The higher the level of financial literacy, the better financial decisions are made. Financial education should start from primary school. Children should know what is the function of money and the importance of savings. Therefore, the Ministry of Finance, as part of the Coordinating Body for Financial Education, organizes lectures in primary and secondary schools throughout the year. In order to promote financial education, we have developed the “Civil Budget”, which provides the public with an insight into the government budget in an easy way. Thus, citizens have greater control over the spending of government money” - said the Minister of Finance, Mr. Dragan Tevdovski.
The Governor of the NBRM, Mrs. Anita Angelovska Bezhoska, emphasized that the central bank, for a couple of years until now, has undertaken numerous activities in the field of financial education. Among the activities carried out this year, she also highlighted the measurement of financial literacy in the country, performed by the NBRM, which gave the regulatory institutions a clear picture of the level of financial literacy and represents one of the pillars for planning further activities in the field of financial education.
- "For society, the investments depend on the level of savings, and the development and well-being in the economy depend on investments. Saving means more hospitals, and therefore a better quality of our life, more roads that will take us more safely and quicklier to our natural destination - the European Union, more quality education, and therefore an appropriate human potential without which there is no progress in society" - said the Governor, Mrs. Angelovska Bezhoska, referring to the benefits that savings bring.
The President of the Council of Experts of the Insurance Supervision Agency (ISA), Mr. Klime Poposki, emphasized that the early financial education is a key factor for long-term development of the financial system in one country. In the developed countries, the level of financial education is on a very high level and the Insurance Supervision Agency makes efforts and aims to apply higher standards that will take us to the desired results and social well-being. Among other things, Poposki emphasized that the ISA, as a regulator on the insurance market, for years now, has undertaken numerous activities in the field of financial education including the issue of useful booklets, social games for young people from which they learn about the risks and their management, as well as organizing regular lectures in primary and secondary schools.
The competition for literary and art works on the occasion of the International Savings Day is held from 2012, while from 2014, the insurance becomes a topic in the competition. This year, the competition is the most massive so far with more than 1,100 literary and art works from the students from primary and secondary schools. 18 students were awarded, while 12 students were praised.
During the year, the Coordinating Body for Financial Education, representing the NBRM, the Ministry of Finance, the ISA, MAPAS and the Securities and Exchange Commission, has educational activities that cover over 35,000 students.
