Bhubaneswar, April 7: The School and Mass Education Department has decided to introduce financial literacy education for students of Classes VI to X in PM SHRI schools across the state, aiming to build awareness on various financial concepts and schemes at an early stage.

In this regard, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Monday between the National Centre for Financial Education (NCFE) and Panchasakha Shiksha Setu Sangathan (PSSS). The agreement was formalised in the presence of Commissioner-cum-Principal Secretary of the department, Dr. N. Thirumala Naik. Ananya Das, Member Secretary of PSSS and State Project Director of OSEPA, signed the MoU on behalf of PSSS, while NCFE Director and CEO Alok Chandra Jena signed on behalf of the organisation.

As per the agreement, the programme will be implemented in 736 schools across all 30 districts of the state in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The initiative aims to promote financial literacy among students and enhance their financial management and entrepreneurial skills.

Under the programme, students will be educated on key financial topics such as savings, budgeting, banking, investment, taxation, and financial responsibility. Prior to its rollout, teachers will undergo specialised training to effectively deliver the curriculum.

Schools covered under the NCFE initiative will also be certified as ‘Money Smart Schools’.