Major prizes up for grabs as Waterford schools invited to take part in Money Smarts Challenge

Teachers and students in secondary schools in Waterford are invited to participate in Bank of Ireland's All Ireland Money Smarts Challenge this March.

The challenge will involve a series of virtual financial literacy quizzes which are tailored for both junior and senior cycle students. The quizzes are part of Bank of Ireland's free 'Money Smarts' financial literacy programme for students, with workshops and events designed to provide students with key life skills regarding finance management.

Youth Coordinators with Bank of Ireland will deliver the series of events with the support of branch staff. 

This is the sixth year of the challenge and now registration is open for schools who wish to participate. 

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Each schools can register a maximum of five teams of four students for the four quizzes which will be spread across two days in March. They will be held on Tuesday, 25 March and Wednesday, 26 March at 9.30am and 11.30am. 

Commenting on the launch of this year's quizzes, Rory Carty, Head of Customer Strategy, Segments and Youth Banking, Bank of Ireland said: "Ireland’s financial literacy score for 2024 was 53% according to our latest Financial Wellbeing and Financial Literacy Survey.

"The youngest age group surveyed, aged 18-24, ranked lower than the average at 46% a decline of 2% points on the previous year. This underlines the importance of financial education at an early age."

He added: "Programmes like Money Smarts play a role in helping to ensure young people are equipped with the skills to make smart financial decisions. Because we know that the sooner people understand how to manage their money, the better off they’ll be in the long run."

For more information on how to register, you can visit Bank of Ireland's website.