• Financial Education
Mar 23, 2017

PMA, Ministry of Education and the Banking Association hosted the “Banking Week” to bring the responsible use of banking products closer to the young generation. Throughout the week, the pupils who came over from several cities in the West Bank visited bank branches, or bank employees came to schools to bring the world of basic financial products across.

“Why should I use a check if I can also pay in cash?”; “Is it safe to bring my money to a bank?” are only two of the questions posed by more several hundreds of the 75,000 pupils of schools all around Palestine, at the occasion of a hands-on introduction into the financial products by bank and financial regulator staff at Ramallah on 12th March 2017. For the 5th time, PMA, Ministry of Education and the Banking Association hosted the “Banking Week” in Ramallah and Gaza, a unique, successful and awarded format designed to bring the responsible use of banking products closer to the young generation.

This year, the Banking Week, part of the international campaign “Global Money Week“, featured an educational fair with 18 booths, each of which represented one financial product. Bank clerks welcomed groups and explained a product. A special highlight was the ATM installed at the fair, where the children could test how to use a debit card, as well as the specially arranged financial education cinema, where a clip about the rationale and ways of saving was displayed. Throughout the week, pupils could visit bank branches, or bank employees came to schools to bring the world of basic financial products across.

The Palestinian banking sector got involved with dedicated resources to realize the event and be available for the children, explains Nabil Abu Diab, Director General of the Palestinian Banking Association, since they understand that it is an important investment into the future. This year for the first time, the banks are combining the Banking Week in their branches with a “Savings Day” for children on Thursday March 16th. During this day, banks are launching different saving products for young target groups.

The inauguration was honoured by the participation of senior representatives of the hosting institutions, among them Governor of the PMA Mr Azzam Shawwa, Minister of Education Dr. Sabri Saidam, as well as Chairman of the Banking Association Mr Mohammed Barghouthi  and Deputy Chief Education Programme School Education Officer Mr Wahid Jubran as well as several bank managers, all of whom appreciated the efforts of all involved parties, and apparently enjoyed the event amongst the pupils who came over from several cities in the West Bank.

Global Money Week also in Germany (external link; in German)

Facebook page for the Banking Week.

Youtube channel with interesting clips with financial education content.

By Thomas Rahn