Kuala lumpur: The Train-the-Trainer (TTT): Personal Financial Management for Teachers programme, spearheaded by the Financial Education Network (FEN) and managed by the Financial Industry Collective Outreach (FINCO), will be cascaded to teachers at the district level beginning in October.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the programme aims to enhance teachers' knowledge of personal financial management to overcome vulnerabilities and strengthen financial resilience. It also seeks to position teachers as positive financial role models for their students and communities, while boosting their confidence and capacity to deliver financial education effectively in schools.
The programme, which runs from August to September in the Klang Valley, Kedah, Terengganu, Sarawak, and Sabah, involves 147 government school teachers and 26 Institute of Teacher Education (IPGM) lecturers. It has produced positive outcomes. Post-training endline data showed a significant increase in teachers' confidence in sharing financial knowledge, with figures rising from 41 percent to 89 percent. Participants also indicated an enhanced ability to understand and apply fundamental financial knowledge, skills, and values when making financial decisions, improving from 71 percent to 88 percent.
According to FINCO, training one teacher from every district across Malaysia ensures that, once appointed as a lead trainer, there will be a network of on-the-ground trainers nationwide, with content that can be adapted to the needs of different demographics. FINCO chief executive officer (CEO) Clare Walker emphasized that when teachers are empowered with the knowledge and tools to manage their own finances, they will not only improve their own financial wellbeing but also be better equipped to confidently deliver financial education and cascade practical skills to students. She noted that many students demonstrate weak levels of financial knowledge, with little real-life exposure to money management.
Funded by partners such as AmBank Group, Bank Muamalat Malaysia, Bank Simpanan Nasional, CIMB Foundation, Hong Leong Bank, Public Bank, RHB Bank, and Sea Ltd, FINCO stated that participants were introduced to six key financial topics: savings and cash flow management, debt management, personal financial risk management, investment and scam awareness, digital financial literacy, and retirement planning. The content for these topics is developed and delivered by Bank Negara Malaysia, the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK), Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), Securities Commission, and FINCO.
In addition to input from financial industry experts, each training session also held a TTT Marketplace, where teachers could explore financial education resources available for students and speak directly to AKPK and EPF, as well as banks and insurance companies to further enhance their understanding of financial services and products.
Commenting on the financial industry's support for TTT, FINCO chairman Tan Sri Azman Hashim remarked that such collective commitment highlights the industry's dedication to safeguarding financial wellbeing and investing in education and community development. He expressed that the ripple effects of this initiative will extend well beyond the classroom, empowering not only teachers but also young people and their families with the knowledge and resilience to navigate real-world financial challenges. He emphasized that this collaboration is an example of how industry leadership can spark change that benefits the nation.