An inspiring voice from the classroom, Ms. Melissa Chetcuti shares her experience as an accredited educator through the Centre of Excellence in Financial Capability & Entrepreneurship. I caught up with her to hear how financial education is shaping her teaching and her junior 5 students.
Q1: What inspired you to take part in the COE Financial Capability training programme?
Melissa:
Honestly, it was a combination of curiosity and necessity. I noticed how little I knew about finance after I left school. I lacked understanding of what money really is and how it works. This motivated me to learn so that I could make my students learning experience different. When I heard about the Centre of Excellence training, I thought, “This is what we’re missing in schools.”
Q2: What was your biggest takeaway from the training?
Melissa:
It really is about integrating real-life skills into everyday teaching. I can teach budgeting during Maths, advertising in English, and entrepreneurship through school projects. To mention a few. The framework was easy to incorporate.
Q3: How have your students responded to these changes?
Melissa:
Kids love talking about money—they learn best when they’re interested.
Q4: Can you share a specific classroom moment that stood out?
Melissa:
There have been so many memorable moments! One that stands out is hearing students talk excitedly about the 50/20/30 budgeting rule and saying they plan to share it with their parents. During a recent event I organized, we took a guided shopping trip where students had to estimate costs and stick to a budget. It was amazing to see how their mindset shifted—they were thinking critically, comparing prices, and making informed choices. Even parents commented that they’re now more motivated to be involved in their children’s financial education. Moments like these show the real impact.
Q5: What advice would you give to educators considering this training?
Melissa:
Just begin and don’t overthink it. You really don’t need to be a financial expert; you just need your own curiosity to encourage your students. The programme is incredibly supportive, and the tools are ready to use. If we want to prepare our students for real life, this concept is essential.
Closing Words:
Incorporating financial literacy into my lessons has completely changed how I approach teaching. It’s practical, engaging, and surprisingly easy to merge into everyday learning. What once felt abstract now feels meaningful—for both me and my students.
