It is indeed important for the youth to learn about the history of Pakistan, mathematics, physics, chemistry, social science, Urdu, English, and biology during their intermediate classes. Such subjects will help attune their minds to the subjects they will study during their university life when pursuing BBA and BS. One wonders why the youth of our country that are studying in intermediate classes are not taught about financial management. This subject, if introduced, should focus on how one can conduct effective financial management. This includes the basics of saving and investing. The concepts of budgeting, insurance, tax structures, estate planning, mortgages, and banking will be a part and parcel of this course.
Financial planning for personal matters is not taught to the youth which creates a dearth of financial thought and planning in them. They remain unable to plan their investment strategy even after graduating, therefore, leading them to invest in low-yielding products.
Intermediate students may not earn a fixed income but they are aware of the world of freelancing. Opportunities for the youth to earn a side income through freelancing are available. They can complete tasks by using their skill set. They can use social media to promote their skills and connect with clients.
The educational system of Pakistan must evolve according to the needs of the market. Gone are the days when rote learning was required. The students of today are accustomed to the changing trends. They get information from the Internet and are often seen challenging the thoughts of their elders. This open-mindedness must be capitalised. Introducing a course in personal financial management in intermediate education will broaden the student’s mind in various ways.
First, they will understand how the financial system works. They will be familiarised with the financial system of their household. Second, if they are acquiring a side income through freelancing jobs, they will know how and where to save and invest their income. Third, they will grasp the workings of the economic system which will surely broaden their mind.
This will give them the foundations to know more about the economy, accounting, and finance. Once their mind is widened by such thoughts, it will be relatively easy for them to study similar courses when pursuing a BS or BBA degree. When students from the pre-medical track study BBA, they find it difficult to make sense of the concepts of accounting and business finance.
There is a dire need to restructure the course structure of intermediate education to meet the demands of higher education and the corporate world. To compel students to rote learn definitions and reproduce the same in examinations will only produce graduates without the skills and acumen to bring a change to their lives or their society. Our youth must be taught how to manage finances from an early age if we want our youth to become future leaders.