Start Financial Literacy Early

On St. Maarten, we often say education is the key to success but in truth, it’s only part of the key. The other part is financial literacy. Together, they unlock opportunity, independence, and the power to make informed choices. That’s why the conversation about money must start early, right in our primary schools.

At that age, children are naturally curious. It’s the perfect time to teach them the basics: saving a little from their allowance, understanding the difference between needs and wants, and realizing that money is earned through effort and responsibility. These lessons might seem small, but they build lifelong habits. When children grasp that education and money go hand in hand, they begin to understand that without both, their voices and choices can be limited.

As they move into secondary school, the approach must evolve. Teenagers today are already making financial decisions such saving for a phone or helping at home. Yet, many leave school without ever learning how to manage a budget, file taxes, or build credit. They know the formula for algebra, but not how interest rates can affect their future.

It’s time we change that. Every school on St. Maarten should introduce a mandatory course called "Life & Money." This course should focus on the real-world skills that shape adulthood: credit, taxes, investing, real estate, and insurance. These are not just topics for accountants or entrepreneurs; they’re essential tools for every young person striving to build a stable, independent life.

Imagine the difference if every high school graduate left with a clear understanding of how to save, invest, and protect their earnings. Imagine young adults who know how to avoid debt traps and build wealth instead. That’s how we begin to reshape the future of St. Maarten, one financially literate generation at a time.

Financial education is not about chasing money; it’s about understanding how it works and how to make it work for you. If we truly want to empower our youth, financial literacy must stand alongside reading, writing, and arithmetic as a foundation for life.

Because here on St. Maarten, where resilience defines us, the greatest gift we can give our children isn’t just an education alone, it’s the knowledge to take control of their financial future and, with it, their destiny.

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