By Peter Alagos
QNB has launched a children’s book that teaches students aged nine and above on financial education as part of the bank’s corporate social responsibility programme on learning.
QNB Group communication general manager Yousef Darwish said the Money Made Easy book, which was launched yesterday at Al Sharq Hotel and Resort, summarises commonly used jargon in the business, economy, and finance sector to help children better understand banking and manage their finances.
Darwish also noted that the book aims to be the first step for children to learn about the rudiments of banking and finance at an early age to prepare them for adult life.
“In reality, adults don’t get to interact with banks until they get a job or until they start saving. Why should we wait until they reach 20 or 21 years and get a job? The children are our future clients,” he emphasised.
Created by QNB and Business News Planet, in co-operation with the Supreme Education Council (SEC), Darwish stressed that the book will be helpful when giving students an overview of financial education in a format that is user-friendly and readily acceptable to children.
He said the book is available in both Arabic and English languages, and is not only accessible in print but also in an app version that is currently being finalised and could be downloaded on itunes by November this year.
Planet News Business managing partner Hala Bejjani said that it took the company a year to complete the book from the planning, research, and publication stage.
“It only took a year (to complete the book) from start to finish. In reality, conceiving a book wouldn’t take two months. However, developing one to suit the customer, to suit the local comprehension, and the local features of the country would take more time,” she said.
QNB’s head of CSR Yousef Fakhroo said the book was already distributed to 40 independent schools and 16 major private schools across Qatar. The reception towards the material, he added, was “positively” accepted by the academic community, students, and parents.
“Working with the Supreme Education Council, we will continue to roll out distribution to reach as many children and educational establishments as possible. This book will hopefully have a significant impact on our younger generation’s ability to manage their personal finances wisely and responsibly.”
Fakhroo pointed out that one of the unique features of the book is that it engages the student in the “Play and Discover” section through the use of entertaining puzzles and challenges.
Aside from a series of educational chapters, the book illustrates the history of money, handling budgets, the role of banks and fiscal policy, and a series of illustrations and case studies that uses simple but easily understood language, he added.
When asked if the book will be part of the SEC’s curriculum, Darwish clarified that the use of the book will not be mandatory but can be taught as an elective subject.
Recently, QNB has sponsored the first two issues of a related financial educational publication entitled “Tajwoury”, aimed at improving youth literacy.
In addition, QNB has sponsored playgrounds and funded several public school graduation ceremonies around the country.
