Saskatchewan high schools roll out financial literacy courses

High schools in Saskatchewan have new elective courses to offer students in financial literacy.

Assistant Deputy Minister of Education Susan Nedelcov-Anderson told John Gormley what students learn in the courses.

“Charitable giving, saving and investing, they might look at the difference between buying and renting and leasing,” she said.

Schools are not required to offer the classes, as they are electives.

“Schools will determine themselves if they’re able to offer it,” Nedelcov-Anderson explained.

The course starts with practical day-to-day financial information in Financial Literacy 20.

“It’s an introduction to financial issues and decisions that students may already be facing,” she said. “The purpose of money, the importance of decision making.”

Students will get a closer look at things like budgeting, cellphone contracts and maintaining records.

The secondary course is more thorough including a more in-depth look at taxes.

“There is an opportunity for (students) to look at taxes paid by individuals in Saskatchewan as well as looking at the relationship between taxation and First Nations people in Saskatchewan and Canada,” she said.

The Saskatchewan School Boards Association decided to introduce the electives following feedback from 10,000 people, it said in a media release.

“We heard a clear desire from students, families and communities for increased opportunity to learn life skills,” it said.