When NATCCO first introduced the Aflatoun program in the Philippines back in 2007, only 18 schools were open to the idea of integrating financial education in the subject areas and introducing the concept of child-friendly savings. Today, more than 1,400 schools are part of the Aflatoun network and the programs are actively implemented by 7,200 teachers across the country. The translation of the teachers’ efforts can be seen in the financial behaviour of the children. Through the years, the small yet consistent savings of Aflatoun kids reached P153,000,000 ($2.93 million) —a testament that children, especially the poor, if given the education and the access, can save and break the intergenerational cycle of poverty.
The Aflatoun Financial Education Leaders’ Congress on October 11-12, 2018 at Microtel Hotel, Quezon City was attended by 90 thought leaders on social and financial education from the government, co-operatives, schools, international and national non-government organizations and civil society organizations. The Department of Education (DepEd), NATCCO’s major partner in the implementation of the Aflatoun Program, presented the updates on the implementation of Financial Education Curriculum across Grade Levels, particularly on the Policy on the Integration of the Financial Education in the K-12 Curriculum. The updates were given by Jocelyn Andaya, Director IV of the Bureau of Curriculum Development and Aileen Supnad, Supervising Education Program Specialist. Mr. Brian Lariche, Aflatoun Board for Asia, shared about the global reach of Aflatoun and the strategic direction that hinges on advocacy, quality programs, and scaling-up. Alan Wang, Aflatoun Board and Executive Director of Be Better Education in China, shared how the program has created positive impact in the lives of the young children by developing their entrepreneurial skills and exposing them to fun activities that stimulate creativity and greater self-confidence.
(L-R) Ms. Sylvia Paraguya, CEO, NATCCO, Mr. Franz Jessen, EU Ambassador to the Philippines, and Mr. Brian Lariche, Board Member, Aflatoun International
NATCCO also recognizes the value of smart partnerships in furthering the goals of the program. The European Union in the Philippines is one organization that supports youth inclusion through its Framework Partnership Agreement signed with the International Co-operative Alliance. Ambassador Franz Jessen, Ambassador of the EU Delegation to the Philippines, graced the Congress and gave an inspiring message in the session, Youth, Co-operatives, and the ICA-EU Partnership: Prospects and Future Partnership for Coops in the Philippines. Ambassador Jessen shared about the EU’s commitment to providing youth with more opportunities to have their voices heard and helping future leaders to emerge. He was excited to share that EU’s focus will be strengthened and mainstreamed in all activities of future cooperation programs to build young people’s capacities, strengthen their access to resources, link them to the private sector, and enhance their involvement in value chains. As the country is being challenged by issues on food security, the European Union is also convinced that resources should be invested in areas like agriculture, where the impact will be high especially in the rural areas.
The Congress presented a holistic and sustainable mechanism for private and public partnerships. As one of the best forms of social enterprises, co-ops promote equity, inclusion, and inclusive education--continuously stirring the spirit of innovation and creating stronger partnerships to develop more children and youth.
