Online Reporter
Business Reporter
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has committed ZiG10 million to the inaugural Schools Monetary Policy Challenge (SMPC), an initiative designed to equip secondary school learners with practical knowledge of monetary policy and financial literacy, Governor Dr John Mushayavanhu has announced.
Speaking at the official launch in Harare today, Dr Mushayavanhu said the programme represented a strategic national investment in young people and Zimbabwe’s future, with nearly 50 percent of secondary schools nationwide registered to participate in the first edition.
“This investment echoes our confidence in Zimbabwe’s young people and our belief that financial literacy, economic awareness and leadership development are among the most important investments we can make in the future prosperity of our nation,” Dr Mushayavanhu said.
The Governor described the SMPC as “much more than a competition”, positioning it as a vehicle for nurturing informed citizens, future policymakers and change-makers. The initiative builds on the central bank’s BiG 5 ZiG Education and Awareness Campaign conducted earlier this year, which took economic information directly to communities across the country.
The programme, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, will see learners assume the roles of central bank officials, including Child RBZ Governors and Deputy Governors, tackling practical monetary policy and financial literacy assignments at cluster, district, provincial and national levels.
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Honourable Torerayi Moyo and Permanent Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Nick Mangwana were among senior Government officials in attendance.
The United Nations Children’s Fund has also come on board as a partner, giving what the Governor described as a “huge boost” to the programme.
Dr Mushayavanhu said the initiative aligned with the aspirations of the National Development Strategy 2 by promoting financial literacy, youth empowerment, human capital development and active citizen participation in national development.
“Through the SMPC, we are therefore investing not only in today’s learners but also in tomorrow’s informed citizens, leaders and change-makers,” he said.
The symbolic ZiG10 million cheque presented at the launch represents “an investment in knowledge, opportunity, leadership and the future of Zimbabwe”, the Governor said, adding that every province was represented at the launch, reflecting a shared commitment to ensuring no community was left behind.
The Reserve Bank said the programme would deepen its impact through continued partnerships with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and UNICEF.
