Kerala Gramin Bank to propagate financial literacy among school children

Kerala Gramin Bank to propagate financial literacy among school children KOCHI, JAN 24:  

Aimed at propagating financial literacy among school children, Kerala Gramin Bank has conceived a novel programme called FI@School. Under the project, every branch of the bank has to identify and enter into a virtual tie up with a school in its locality preferably an upper primary school to organise

various programmes such as formation of financial literacy clubs, account opening camps at schools, junior debit card distribution, financial literacy related classes, distribution of financial literacy booklets, competition on financial literacy etc.

Though Kerala have advanced a lot in financial inclusion, there is one section which is still largely outside the purview of FI - the children, K.V. Shaji, Chairman, Kerala Gramin Bank said. “We have devised this novel project so as to set up an example for other banks and the government to replicate”, he said.

“We envisage 500 branches out of the total 602 will be actively participating in the project and the bank anticipate coverage of nearly one lakh students through the project”, he said.

Financial Inclusion is ‘banking the un-banked’ and it has gained importance since early 2000’s, when United Nations felt the need for taking financial services to people who are otherwise excluded from the financial sector, he said.

“There are various international organisations and partnerships working on the mission to achieve FI. We have been associating with Child & Youth Finance International, Amsterdam under the project”, he added.

The bank has roped in popular magician Gopinath Muthukad as the brand ambassador for the project, which would be launched at Assisi Vidyanikethan Public School, Kakkanad on Monday.