The Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) welcomed the Grade 10 students from Kopkop College, Port Moresby, as part of the school’s Educational Excursion Visit to the CEFI office, held over two days from 3 to 4 June 2025.
The visit aimed to enhance the students’ understanding of financial literacy, promote the value of savings and budgeting, and introduce key economic concepts such as monetary and fiscal policy. The program also included a practical component, opening bank accounts with Bank South Pacific (BSP) and MiBank, as part of the financial inclusion for young minds.
A total of 43 students, accompanied by their teachers, attended the two-day programme, 21 students participated on Tuesday 3rd June, with the second batch consisting of 22 students completing their visit on Wednesday 4th June.
In his opening remarks on day one, Mr Danny Koka, Manager for NFIS Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement at CEFI, encouraged students to develop sound financial habits at an early age.
“Saving early will prepare you in your future working life to overcome for challenges such as inflation, school fees, housing, and even starting your own business,” Mr Koka stated. He also thanked BSP and MiBank for being present onsite to assist students in opening their first bank accounts.
Grade 10 Teacher Mr Harold Wuris expressed gratitude to CEFI for facilitating the visit and emphasized the value of real world experience in helping students understand how financial institutions operate.
“This hands-on experience brings classroom learning to life and helps students connect theory with practical application,” Mr Wuris said.
Closing the two day program, Ms Jill Pijui, Manager for Financial and Capacity Building at CEFI, delivered the closing remarks and extended her appreciation to Kopkop College and the participating financial institutions.
Ms Pijui highlighted the integration of financial literacy into the national education curriculum, informing students that the subject would soon become compulsory alongside other core subjects.
She explained that eight key topics would be covered under the programme, including savings, budgeting, banking, superannuation, insurance, investment, credit, and debt management. Ms Pijui further stated that a pilot implementation is planned for 89 schools, with teacher training scheduled to begin by mid-2026.
“CEFI is committed to educating and empowering young people, especially considering that previous generations did not have access to financial literacy education,” Ms Pijui explained. She urged the students to become responsible money managers and take ownership of their financial futures.
Kopkop College Principal Mr Federick Raka also expressed his appreciation to CEFI for hosting the students and encouraged further collaboration.
“Many adults, including educators, were not taught financial literacy during their schooling. This is a gap that must be addressed. Today’s visit serves as a bridge between theory and real world money management skills,” Mr Raka said.
During the sessions, students engaged in presentations, interactive discussions, and activities focused on budgeting, saving, and the broader concepts of financial inclusion and national economic policy. CEFI staff also held Q&A sessions to reinforce student learning.
Several students shared their key takeaways from the educational sessions:
Eussetus Turharus said he had gained a deeper understanding of how financial literacy equips individuals to budget, save, and invest, while financial inclusion enables people throughout Papua New Guinea to access affordable banking services.
Hannah Sirimai expressed that before the visit, she had heard of financial literacy but did not fully grasp its importance. She highlighted CEFI’s role in reaching vulnerable populations, such as women, persons with disabilities, and rural communities, through financial education.
Sean Leva commented on the value of opening a bank account while still in school, noting that early exposure to banking fosters responsibility and financial independence.
Ghinter Yombon Copic when highlighting the role of technology in advancing financial literacy, stated that digital tools have increased accessibility and impact, especially among young people.
In total, 31 students opened Sumatin accounts with BSP during the visit. Some students also shared their thoughts on opening their first bank accounts:
Wilford Wangi said he felt happy and more in control of his money, with plans to save regularly.
Cornelius Sanigum expressed relief, as he had been trying for months to open an account, with saving as his main goal.
Kaylah Mareva shared her excitement, saying she now felt more independent and was eager to learn how to budget effectively.
Nekidoleya Annettee Kora described the experience as new and unfamiliar but she was positive and she, too, plans to save.
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- Day 2: Kopkop Grade 10 students and their teacher pose for a group photo with CEFI and BSP staff on Day 2 of the programme.
Image 2 – Day 2: Mr Albert Mokis Ahabh, NFIS Implementation Coordinator at CEFI, facilitates a budgeting and savings activity during the session. He is pictured here assisting Sheila Kalamoroh with the completion of the task.
Image 3 – Day 2: Ms Adelle Auhava, Administrative Officer with CEFI’s Training Unit, and Kora Gini from BSP assist two female students in completing their application forms to open bank accounts.
Image 4 – Day 2: Students in the process of opening bank accounts.
Image 5 – Day 2: Jackson Tasi, Team Leader – Customer Service Officer at MiBank, assists a student with her enquiries regarding opening a bank account.
Image 6 – Day 2: The second batch of Kopkop Grade 10 students proudly display their Sumatin bank cards.
Image 7 – Day 1: Mr Danny Koko, Manager – NFIS and Stakeholder Engagement at CEFI, welcomes the first group of students on Day One.
Image 8 – Day 1: Kopkop Grade 10 students and teachers pose for a group photo with CEFI, BSP, and MiBank staff on Day One.
Image 9 – Day 1: Jackson Tasi, Team Leader – Customer Service Officer at MiBank, demonstrates the different types of banking cards to the students.
Image 10 -– Day 1: Marie Oapaisa, Manager – Market at MiBank, explains various banking products to Eussetus Tuharus.
Image 11 – Day 1: Two male students filling out application forms to open bank accounts.
Image 12– Day 1: The first batch of Kopkop Grade 10 students proudly display their Sumatin bank cards.
