Education Minister Endorses JSE Primary School Stock Market Education Programme

The Jamaica Stock Exchange’s (JSE) efforts to develop the capacity of young people in financial literacy and money management have been endorsed by Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams.

Speaking during the launch of the Primary School Stock Market Education programme at the JSE in downtown Kingston on Friday (October 20), Mrs. Williams said the initiative is designed to equip youngsters with investment knowledge that can take them into adulthood.

“When you start working, you will have the knowledge about how to spend your money, not just on things that you consume, but [how] you can put aside some of it through investing,” the Minister said.

Noting that she was pleased with the focus of the public education programme on the role of the stock market, the value of investing in the stock market and the importance of saving at an early age, Mrs. Williams said the JSE initiative should add some fun for the youngsters, while they are learning important information about the financial market.

The JSE and its partners are using the programme, which is entertaining and interactive, to educate staff and students of primary and prep schools on the value of investing in the stock market, and the importance of starting to save at an early age.

Plans are in place to involve as many primary and prep schools islandwide, with a hope of accomplishing this during the school year.

Minister Williams noted that while the stock market has risks, persons investing in the stocks “have the opportunity to see your money grow significantly.”

She further encouraged persons to “put in what you can afford to put aside.”

“Look around you and be conscious of what is happening in the economy, so that you can duplicate it in your virtual portfolio. It will be beneficial to you and your financial literacy as you grow,” she added.