A successful UK rapper called Tinchy Strider was in the news recently after he went back to school to help teach school children about personal finance. At the St Matthew Academy in Lewisham, London, the young rapper was promoting the Government’s My Money programme, which is a £10 million scheme which aims to encourage schools to teach children about money in a way that’s relevant to their lives.
My initial thought was of course why is a teeny bopper rapper now the authority on personal finance?
But to be fair, the rapper, apparently self-financed his first album. Okay so very few of those children are likely to find themselves making chart-topping music in ten years time but to give credit where it’s due, this is a subject that children should be introduced to at school, so good on Tinchy for his efforts.
He makes a valid point (once you’ve sidestepped the cheese): “Many young people have big dreams about their future, just as I did when I was younger. I had to work hard to make the money I needed to make those dreams come true. I’m so pleased to be supporting the My Money programme as I think it’s really important that kids get taught about personal finance from an early age. I hope schools and young people across the country get on board with the My Money initiative, sign up to My Money Week and put personal finance firmly on the agenda.”
During the My Money week, which takes place from June 28 to July 4, thousands of schools will deliver specially themed financial education lessons.
What a great idea!
Gemma Carey, Bluewood Training Ltd
