FSC and FSS to Actively Support Financial Education in Schools

The 2025 1st Financial Education Council Meeting Held
Discussion on Introducing "Finance and Economic Life" as a School Subject
Plans to Expand Teacher Training and On-Site Promotion for Financial Education
Global Trends Highlight the Need for National-Level Financial Education in Korea

The Financial Services Commission announced on the afternoon of April 25 that it held the "2025 1st Financial Education Council" meeting, chaired by Vice Chairman Kim Soyoung, along with officials from relevant ministries and private sector experts.

At the meeting, participants discussed support measures for establishing the "Finance and Economic Life" subject in school curricula, the current status of financial education in 2024, and future plans. The Financial Services Commission plans to strengthen on-site promotion so that more high school students can choose this subject, and will especially focus on visiting schools nationwide to promote the subject intensively from September to October this year, when course registration for the next academic year takes place. The commission also plans to expand teacher training programs to help teachers effectively instruct financial subjects, and will develop and provide teaching guides and lecture materials for teachers.

Vice Chairman Kim stated, "It is very meaningful to hold the Financial Education Council and discuss policy measures at such a critical time, as the 'Finance and Economic Life' subject will be introduced into the regular high school curriculum starting next year." The "Finance and Economic Life" subject will be taught beginning in 2026, when current first-year high school students become second-year students.

He emphasized, "To firmly establish financial education in schools, continued interest and involvement from the government, related agencies, and the financial sector are required," adding, "We will pursue support measures to vitalize public financial education from multiple perspectives."

Meanwhile, the Financial Supervisory Service reported on the financial education achievements of institutions affiliated with the Financial Education Council over the past year, as well as this year's plans. The Korea Financial Consumer Protection Foundation presented a report on "Global Trends and Policy Implications of Financial Education in Schools."

According to a survey by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), more than 40 countries worldwide have introduced financial education in schools, and some countries have made it a mandatory part of the regular curriculum. The report noted that major countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States also emphasize the necessity of financial education from adolescence and are implementing policies to promote financial education in schools, highlighting the need for Korea to continue developing financial education at the national level.