Preparing Financial Literates, Not Just Certified Graduates

When I think back to my school days, one thing is very clearly, I had to study hard to pass every single subject from Mathematics to Chemistry to even subjects I knew I would never use again. I memorized formulas, solved endless equations, and crammed for exams because passing meant moving to the next class. Now I wonder if I had studied just as hard to understand Forex back then, would I be struggling today to increase my earnings in every possible way I can? I guess not.

Back then, I had no idea that making money online was even a thing. Trading, forex, cryptocurrency? Those words were nowhere near our classrooms. I remember how mathematics kept teaching me how to calculate money as in profits, losses, percentages, interest. Yet, nobody taught me how to actually earn it. I was taught how to count money I didn’t have, it feels unfair.

Today, many of us wish we had the knowledge we have now back then. We say things like, “If only I knew this earlier.” But me I wish I had even the knowledge I’m yet to have back then. If only concepts like investment, digital money, foreign exchange, and risk management were part of what we were taught through lessons and exams to make sure I get it right. Not to rush life but understanding money early improves mentality.

This brings me to the prompt question: Should cryptocurrency and Forex be taught to kids in schools? And if they are introduced early enough, will they lead to a generation of people who make better investment decisions? The answer is yes but I'll add that it should be taught with structure and balance to avoid some issues.

First, I don’t think this kind of subject should be thrown at very young children. Childhood matters, so kids should be allowed to be kids and I mean they should be allowed to play, explore, make mistakes, and enjoy life without worrying about how to make their next 10 to 100 dollars.

Exposing little children too early to earning pressure can do more harm than good. So if crypto and Forex are to be introduced, it shouldn’t be mixed carelessly with basic education. There should be a particular class or level for it and in my opinion, I think the right stage is from high school or secondary school to university level.

At that point, students already understand basic mathematics, economics, and responsibility. Some of them even have small allowances, side hustles, or access to the internet where money is already moving fast. Teaching them about Forex and crypto at this stage wouldn’t be about pressuring them to trade, but about helping them understand how money works in the real world.

Imagine a student learning what currencies are, why exchange rates change, how digital assets work, what risks are involved, and why not every opportunity is worth taking. I can only imagine how learning about losses, volatility, patience, and discipline before stepping into the market blindly as an adult would save many people from costly mistakes as we see in the world today.

Another important thing is that teaching crypto and Forex in schools shouldn't mean encouraging reckless investing. It should focus more on financial literacy, not quick wealth. Understanding concepts like risk management, long-term thinking, scams and emotional control is far more important than making profits early. So many adults learn this the hard way, I've seen it.

If students are taught these concepts properly, they won’t grow up seeing money as a mystery or something only a few people understand. They’ll grow up knowing that money is a tool, one that requires knowledge, patience, and responsibility.

I strongly believe it would be a game changer if this subject is actually implemented. We would have graduates who don’t just leave school with certificates, but with a basic understanding of how to manage, grow, and protect money. More financially aware graduates means fewer people trapped in debt, fewer desperate decisions, and more people building sustainable income paths.

Looking back, I can’t change what I wasn’t taught. But looking forward, I can say clearly that if schools begin to teach crypto and Forex at the right stage and in the right way, future generations won’t have to unlearn ignorance before they can learn and that alone could change the world, building informed graduates.