Young people are being taught how to be ‘Money Wise’ and avoid debt thanks to a Children’s Safety Education Foundation (CSEF) campaign, which is being sponsored locally by Muirhouse Housing Association (MHA).

The campaign works with schools to raise awareness of how to manage money wisely and teach students about the pitfalls of borrowing money, overspending and the dangers of illegal lenders before they reach an age where they might experience these situations for themselves. The latest CSEF project has been taking place at Craigroyston Community High School.

Class teacher Catriona Grant said: “The Money Wise booklet has been a really useful resource for me as a teacher as it clearly lays out the key financial knowledge a young adult should have in a simple and accessible format. I have even learnt some new things myself!”

According to the pupils, the booklet is “really helpful for my future and knowing how to do important things like save money” and is “filled with really good facts and shows me what mistakes with money I should try and avoid”.

Staff from Muirhouse Housing Association went back to school for the morning and took part in a lesson to see exactly how the programme was being used.

Chief executive Stevie McAvoy said: “We are delighted to support such a worthwhile and important learning opportunity as the Money Wise Programme. Hopefully the good habits and awareness encouraged by this initiative will last a lifetime and promote others to learn from it also.”

Michael Fitzgerald, schools liaison officer for the CSEF, added: “In this ever changing world, financial literacy is a vital component for young peoples’ development. The Children’s Safety Education Foundation sees this partnership work as vital in helping to achieve this.”

The CSEF programme also includes the teaching of basic budgeting and money management skills and actively encourages students to conduct their own research and present their own findings in writing and role-play exercises.

For more information visit http://csef.net/.