The Reserve Bank of Fiji launched the seventh edition of its student diary at PT Shreedhar Maharaj College in Nausori on Friday 17 February 2017. The Governor of the Reserve Bank, Mr Barry Whiteside said that a total of 4,000 copies were printed which will be distributed to 26 secondary schools around Fiji, mainly those in the rural and maritime areas that were affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston last year. This is an initiative by the Reserve Bank to complement financial education and promote financial literacy awareness in our community.
Governor Whiteside said last year was a very challenging year for Fiji, especially for many of our schools and students. Some students were still recovering this year from the devastating effects of Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston and the recent floods. He hoped the diary would assist students in their recovery and learning efforts that were interrupted by Cyclone Winston and the floods.
Governor Whiteside said the Theme for this year’s Diary is “Money Talks, I should Bank or Invest” which was similar to last year’s edition. Financial security is and will always remain one of the most critical things in students’ lives and they need to learn and understand how to achieve it.
Setting of goals and working towards achieving them is an important aspect of life and this should be learnt and instilled as a habit while students are still young. Students are encouraged to take part in the fun-filled activities planned in their schools or by the Ministry of Education that complement what they learn in the classroom.
This year’s diary also contains some very interesting information, activities and real life experiences which will help students in their academic studies and personal development.
Fiji is one of the first countries in the Pacific, which has integrated financial education into the formal school curriculum at all levels. In 2013, the Ministry of Education introduced financial education as part of the formal school curriculum and it is now taught in all schools from year 1 to year 12.
A copy of the Diary may also be downloaded from the RBF Website at www.rbf.gov.fj
