Friday 26/09/2025

^{Teachers carry out micro-teaching sessions where they deliver the topics they have learned to each other to test their understanding of the subject matter and get feedback from their peers}



KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- “I learned how to identify if an investment opportunity is a scam, and how to check if my bank account is being used as a mule account,” said Rafiuddin bin Ahmad Samawe, from SK LKTP Nitar 2, Mersing, after participating in the Train-the-Trainer (TTT): Personal Financial Management for Teachers programme, which ran from August to September.
 
Rafiuddin is just one of 173 government school teachers and lecturers from the Institute of Teacher Education Malaysia (IPGM), who now feel confident about delivering personal financial management training to teachers nationwide, thanks to the initiative spearheaded by the Financial Education Network (FEN) and managed by the Financial Industry Collective Outreach (FINCO).
 
According to 2022 data from the Johor Police Contingent Headquarters, teachers are among the groups most targeted in financial fraud, with 30.2% of online scam cases in Johor alone involving teachers. Personal debt also remains a major issue, with bankruptcy rates among public servants, many of whom are from the education sector, rising from 10% to 14% in recent years, largely due to personal loans.
 
The TTT initiative aims to not only enhance teachers’ knowledge of personal financial management to overcome vulnerabilities and strengthen financial resilience, but also to position them as positive financial role models for their students and communities, and increase their confidence and capacity to deliver financial education effectively in schools.
 
Post-training endline data showed a significant increase in teachers’ confidence in sharing financial knowledge with others rising from 41% to 89%. Participants also indicated an enhanced ability to understand and apply fundamental financial knowledge, skills and values when making financial decisions, improving from 71% to 88%.
 
“Many students demonstrate weak levels of financial knowledge, with little real-life exposure to money management. Although teachers are well placed to influence financial behaviours, many lack structured training and practical resources.
 
“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,” said Clare Walker, CEO of 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.
 
Funded by partners AmBank Group, Bank Muamalat Malaysia, Bank Simpanan Nasional, CIMB Foundation, Hong Leong Bank, Public Bank, RHB Bank, and Sea Ltd, the training gave participants a comprehensive introduction 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 were 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 said, “This collective commitment highlights the industry’s dedication to safeguarding financial well-being and investing in education and community development. The ripple effects of this initiative will extend well beyond the classroom, empowering not only teachers but also young people and their families will be equipped with the knowledge and resilience to navigate real-world financial challenges. This collaboration is an example of how industry leadership can spark change that benefits the nation.”
 
The training saw 147 government school teachers and 26 IPGM lecturers in attendance at the training sessions, which took place in Sarawak, Klang Valley, Kedah, Terengganu and Sabah. The sessions were also supported by 36 Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) officers, and volunteers from AmBank Group, Bank Simpanan Nasional, CIMB Bank, Hong Leong Bank, Manulife Malaysia, Prudential Assurance Berhad, and Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad.
 
Beginning in October, the training will be cascaded to teachers at district level. FINCO, its training partners, and volunteers from the financial industry will continue to support trainers.

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About the Financial Industry Collective Outreach

The Financial Industry Collective Outreach (FINCO) is a collaborative initiative pioneered by financial institutions in Malaysia with the guidance of Bank Negara Malaysia to provide underprivileged children and youth with the guidance and educational tools they need to achieve their life goals. FINCO seeks to achieve these objectives through inclusive educational initiatives under four strategic pillars - English Proficiency and Life Aspiration, Financial Literacy and Disaster Relief.