Dartford schools can reduce unemployment by teaching financial education says charity (From News Shopper)

Dartford schools can reduce unemployment by teaching financial education says charity

9:57am Wednesday 5th December 2012 in News By Alan Woods

TEACHING financial education in Dartford schools will reduce youth unemployment, according to a charity.

Figures from the Department for Work and Pensions show 2,445 people in Dartford aged between 16 and 24 were claiming Job Seekers Allowance in October.

Education charity, the Personal Finance Education Group (PFEG), believes the adding of financial education to the curriculum would combat this figure and is campaigning for it to be instated.

PFEG chief executive Tracey Bleakley said: “School-leavers are entering adult life in extremely difficult economic times.

“Too many young people in Dartford are still struggling to find work – and the truth is in many cases we’re making their problems worse by allowing them to leave school without the skills they need to manage their money well.”

The charity believes if youngsters are taught how to avoid debt, how benefits work and more about personal finances at school then the number of people claiming jobseekers will fall.

PFEG offers free resources to support the teaching of financial education to schools.