PROJECT OVERVIEW: FINANCIAL EDUCATION FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THANH TRI DISTRICT, HANOI

The project "Financial Education for 10 Primary Schools in Thanh Tri District, Hanoi" is a vital initiative under the "Empowering Vietnamese Children" program. It aims to provide students with foundational financial mindset and life skills, contributing to the development of their character and capabilities.

1. Organizing Partners

The project was implemented through a collaborative effort between:

• Vietnam Innovation of General Education Foundation (VIGEF).

• Junior Achievement (JA) Vietnam – a member of JA Worldwide, the world's largest organization dedicated to educating students on workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.

• The Center for Support of Women in HIV/AIDS Prevention and Reproductive Health Care (under the Vietnam Women's Union).

• The project was also officially approved and supported by the Hanoi Department of Education and Training.

2. Core Curriculum: The JA Cha-Ching Program

The project utilizes the JA Cha-Ching curriculum, a global financial education initiative developed by the Prudence Foundation and Dr. Alice Wilder. The program focuses on four key financial management habits:

1. Earn.

2. Save.

3. Spend.

4. Donate.

Beyond financial concepts, the program instills a respect for the value of labor, encourages community sharing, and fosters a sense of responsibility toward family and society.

3. Implementation Scope and Scale

• Target Audience: 4th-grade students across 10 primary schools in Thanh Tri District, including: Tam Hiep, Lien Ninh, Pham Tu, Huu Hoa, Ngu Hiep, Van Dien Town B, Ta Thanh Oai, Tan Trieu, Van Dien Town A , and Ngoc Hoi.

• Scale: A total of 2,343 students participated, guided by 20 specialized teachers who underwent professional training.

• Timeline:

    ◦ March 2019: Teacher training on innovative pedagogical methods, including the use of music videos, games, and group discussions.

    ◦ April – May 2019: Direct classroom implementation and teaching.

4. Project Impact and Results

The project has achieved significant positive outcomes:

• For Students: The majority of students now understand the value of money, show great enthusiasm for the lessons, and have begun to form smart spending and saving habits.

• For Schools and Parents: The program received high praise from school boards and strong support from parents. The student-centered teaching method transformed traditional lessons into lively, effective learning experiences.

• Overall Evaluation: The program is recognized as practical and highly effective, with the potential to be scaled to other grades and provinces across Vietnam.

5. Future Recommendations

Based on the successful pilot, the project recommends:

• Expanding the program for students from Grades 2 to 7 nationwide.

• Localizing and refining the curriculum and teaching tools (such as translating songs and adjusting session lengths) to better suit the specific needs of each locality.

• Increasing the frequency of teacher training to ensure sustainable and high-quality education