Financial Literacy for Schools

Financial Literacy for Schools is an educational initiative by yourchance o.p.s. designed to enhance the quality of financial education in Czech primary and secondary schools. The project provides schools and teachers with methodological support, innovative teaching tools, certification, and professional development opportunities. Its mission is to strengthen students’ financial literacy while empowering teachers to integrate financial topics effectively into the curriculum. The program focuses on long-term systemic change, ensuring that financial literacy becomes a sustainable element of school education and culture.

Key Activities and School Experience

The program’s core activity is the Financially Literate School certification, which guides schools in improving financial education through a structured, multi-level process. Schools collaborate with mentors, evaluate their teaching practices, and receive methodological assistance. The project offers educational programs, workshops, and materials adaptable to both primary and secondary levels. Each year, the Financially Literate and Entrepreneurial School Conference serves as a platform for sharing best practices, while participation in Global Money Week raises awareness and motivates students to engage with real-life financial issues. Activities combine practical exercises, discussions, and expert input to help students develop financial reasoning, critical thinking, and responsible attitudes toward money.

Program Features and Principles

The initiative is built on the principle that lasting educational change begins with teachers and school leadership. Its approach promotes active, experiential, and practice-based learning instead of passive knowledge transfer. The program provides individual consultations and methodological support tailored to each school’s context. Certification levels — bronze, silver, gold, and diamond — reflect a school’s progress and commitment to financial education, with recertification every three years to ensure continuous improvement. Through this structure, schools establish strategic, measurable goals and foster a culture of responsible financial thinking.

Methodology and Structure

The program employs a modular system that accommodates various levels of engagement. Schools are evaluated in areas such as teacher involvement, curriculum integration, student participation, and cooperation with external partners. Teachers attend accredited CPD courses focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and economic decision-making, while students participate in interactive case studies, simulations, and workshops. The methodology combines theory with practice and encourages reflection, teamwork, and communication. Certified schools can later act as mentors to others, promoting knowledge sharing and professional collaboration.

Expected Outcomes and Value

The project delivers measurable benefits at multiple levels. Students gain practical skills for managing money, making informed decisions, and understanding financial risks. Teachers enhance their professional competence, and schools obtain a structured framework for embedding financial education into long-term strategy. The Financially Literate School certification strengthens institutional credibility and visibility within the community. Nationally, the initiative contributes to building financial awareness, connecting schools with experts and institutions, and influencing the overall development of financial literacy education in the Czech Republic.