The Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI), in close partnership with the Department of Education (DoE) through its Curriculum Development Division (CDD), has successfully concluded the two-week Financial Education Curriculum Validation Workshop, culminating in the delivery of 40 fully aligned educational resources. This marks an important step in the implementation of the Financial Education in Schools PNG (FESPNG) Project.
The workshop, held from 5th –16th May 2025, brought together a dedicated team of stakeholders, including officers from DoE-CDD, representatives from CEFI, and an external partner from Aflatoun International and Cufa to review and align 13 syllabuses, 13 Teacher Resource Books, and 13 Student Activity Books. This thorough process resulted in the development of eight strands, 16 units, 16 content standards, and benchmarks, reinforcing a consistent and inclusive approach to financial literacy education across all grade levels.
The purpose of the workshop was to support the integration of Financial Literacy Education (FLE) into Papua New Guinea’s Standards-Based Curriculum from Preparatory to Grade 12 and to validate the financial education curriculum materials developed through collaboration between the DoE-CDD, CEFI, Aflatoun International and Cufa.
The objectives of the workshop were to ensure that the financial education content aligns with CEFI’s Financial Literacy Standards and Conceptual Framework, maintaining national relevance and consistency. It also aimed to evaluate the developmental appropriateness of concepts across all grade levels, promoting coherent and age-appropriate progression. Expert input was sought from financial literacy technical advisors to enhance the accuracy and contextual suitability of the content. Additionally, feedback from CEFI and external partners was gathered to confirm the curriculum’s relevance to real-life financial challenges. Finally, the workshop validated the templates of the Teacher Resource Books and Student Activity Books to ensure they are well-structured, accessible, and practical for classroom use.
Opening the workshop, Mr. Peter Samuel, Acting Executive Director of CEFI, acknowledged key partners and contributors, particularly the Department of Education, Aflatoun International, and individual curriculum experts, whose dedication and collaboration have been instrumental in progressing this vital national initiative.
Mr. Samuel emphasized the strategic significance of the workshop, describing it as a critical step ahead of the program’s pilot phase. He stressed that the initiative is among the most impactful CEFI has undertaken to date, with long-term potential to empower future generations with practical financial knowledge and skills.
“This is more than just a workshop it is the groundwork for change in how we prepare our students for life beyond the classroom,” Mr. Samuel said. He further appealed to the Department of Education for continued partnership and support.
The recent workshop also welcomed Aflatoun International as a strategic international partner. Ms Ya Ling Chao, Regional Coordinator for Aflatoun Asia, travelled to PNG for the May workshop, commending the country’s dedication to integrating financial education. Speaking at the opening, Ms Chao described the initiative as “a historic milestone” and one of the most proactive collaborations she has encountered in the region.
On Friday, 16 May 2025, George Awap, Assistant Governor – Financial System Development and Innovation Group- Bank of Papua New Guinea, gave an impactful message at the closing of the Financial Education Curriculum Alignment Workshop.
Mr Awap thanked CEFI & DoE-CDD for their hard work during the two-week workshop. He praised their teamwork and also remembered past leaders who helped bring financial education to life. “We are building on the hard work of those who came before us,” he said, naming former CEFI Executive Director, Mr. Saliya Ranasinghe for his early efforts.
Mr. Awap’s key message was about Financial Education becoming a national focus. “It should not only teach people how money works but also help them change their thinking and use this knowledge in real life,” Mr. Awap said.
He said making a financial education curriculum is not easy. It must meet the needs of many different people and communities. There are challenges and these include reaching remote schools, finding enough money, and helping people especially adults change their way of thinking about money. “It’s not just about lessons. It’s about changing habits,” he said.
Mr Awap explained that financial education is now a national priority and is part of the government’s wider plans. He encouraged Papua New Guineans to trust the financial system, and for students to use what they learn in real life.
“It’s about giving the students the right knowledge and knowledge that empowers them both inside and outside the classroom,” he said.
Mr Steven Tandale, First Assistant Secretary at the DoE’s-CDD, praised the dedication and collaborative spirit of the workshop participants. He emphaized the critical role that writing, research, and continuous improvement play in curriculum development and encouraged educators to view challenges as opportunities brought for innovation.
Mr Tandale also acknowledged the practical barriers to implementation such as logistics, printing, and delivery to remote schools but affirmed that the team’s resourcefulness had led to creative solutions, including improved communication methods and enhanced documentation strategies.
This collaborative effort emphasizes a shared commitment to integrating financial literacy into the Standards Based Curriculum from Preparatory to Grade 12. The FE curriculum is critical in empowering students with essential financial knowledge, practical skills, and value based learning fostering lifelong learning, financial resilience, and responsible citizenship.
In total, 40 educational documents have been produced across the three workshops (two similar workshops held in 2024), all of which were funded by CEFI and delivered in collaboration with the DoE. This outstanding effort marks a national commitment to embedding financial literacy across all stages of formal education in Papua New Guinea.
The workshop brought together CEFI, DoE-CDD, and Aflatoun International to align core financial literacy concepts across all grade levels—from early childhood to upper secondary. Through collaboration, the workshop aims to ensure consistency, relevance, and effective implementation, helping equip students with essential financial life skills for a more inclusive society.
Ends.
For further information on the work of CEFI please contact CEFI Communications Team: +675 3225300, email: lomaro@thecefi.org or visit www.thecefi.org
Captions:
Image 1:
Mr George Awap, Assistant Governor, Financial System Development and Innovation Group, delivers his keynote address at the closing of the two-week FE Curriculum Alignment Workshop at Tuhava Town Resort on Friday, 16 May 2025.
Image 2:
Mr Steven Tandale, First Assistant Secretary at the Department of Education’s Curriculum Development Division (DoE–CDD), delivers his opening remarks at the closing of the two-week FE Curriculum Alignment Workshop at Tuhava Town Resort on Friday, 16 May 2025.
Image 3:
Ms Jill Pijui, Manager – Financial Inclusion & Capacity Development, and Mr Sebastian Mugup explain the Financial Education (FE) Content Alignment Chart to Mr George Awap, Assistant Governor, Financial System Development and Innovation Group.
Image 4:
The CEFI Training Team and DoE–CDD Team pose for a group photo with Mr George Awap, Assistant Governor, Financial System Development and Innovation Group (seated, front row, third from left), and Mr Steven Tandale, First Assistant Secretary at the DoE–CDD (seated, front row, second from left) at the closing of the workshop on Friday 16 May, 2025.
Image 5:
Mr Peter Samuel, CEFI Acting Executive Director, delivers his opening speech at the opening of the two-week FE Curriculum Alignment Workshop at Tuhava Town Resort on Monday, 05 May 2025.
Image 6:
Ms. Ya Ling Chao, Regional Coordinator for Aflatoun Asia, delivers her remarks at the opening of the two-week FE Curriculum Alignment Workshop at Tuhava Town Resort on Monday, 05 May 2025.
Image 7:
Two participants from the DoE–CDD working on the financial education curriculum during the workshop.
Image 8:
The CEFI Training Team and DoE–CDD Team pose for a group photo with Mr Peter Samuel, CEFI Acting Executive Director (seated, front row, third from left), and Ms. Ya Ling Chao, Regional Coordinator for Aflatoun Asia (seated, front row, second from left) at the opening of the workshop on Monday 05 May 2025.
Image 9:
Ms. Ya Ling Chao, Regional Coordinator for Aflatoun Asia delivers a presentation during the opening of the workshop.
Image 10:
The Financial Educational Alignment Chart developed during the workshop.
Image 11:
Some of the strands developed during the workshop. Image 11 shows the ‘Strand 8-Credit’.
Image 12:
Some of the strands developed during the workshop. Image 12 shows ‘Strand 4-Banks’.
