MUSCAT: Meethaq, the pioneer of Islamic banking in Oman from Bank Muscat, has announced that plans have been finalised to train more than 10,500 students in 2019 under the Little Investor financial literacy programme. The programme, which is being rolled out in partnership with the National Centre for Vocational Guidance at the Ministry of Education and Injaz Oman, targets elementary and preparatory school students and helps them develop a healthy savings habit as well as entrepreneurial skills from an early age. It particularly focuses on students as they represent the future of Oman.
The ‘Little Investor’ programme is a core component of the highly-ambitious Imprints CSR initiative of the bank. The four pillars of the Imprints initiative include programmes to promote financial literacy, sustainable tourism, green environment and enriched lifestyle. In 2019, the Little Investor programme succeeded in imparting financial and entrepreneurial skills to 10,520 students through 220 workshops held at 175 schools under the Ministry of Education. The financial literacy sessions were conducted with the help of 70 volunteers from Injaz Oman and 195 teachers across schools across the Sultanate.
The Ministry of Education is represented in the ‘Little Investor’ programme by the National Centre for Vocational Guidance. Injaz Oman is a not-for-profit organisation focused on enhancing skills of youth for participation in the economy by bridging the gap between knowledge acquired through education and skills required for the job market. Injaz helps students to develop leadership, entrepreneurial skills, problem-solving abilities, communication and soft skills through a series of workshops conducted by its volunteers.
Students are introduced to business and economics with focus on mathematics, reading and writing skills in the Little Investor programme. The training modules are aligned with the school curriculum and it encourages students to apply creative thinking and social skills to learn financial management. Students are engaged in a number of interactive and informative sessions using group-based activities and specific set of educational materials designed specifically for this programme.
The Little Investor programme motivates students to develop ambitions related to their career and creates awareness on the relevance of this knowledge in their real world and the value of their contribution to the local and national economy.
Meethaq remains committed to social responsibility initiatives contributing to sustainable development in Oman. At a time when Islamic finance is consolidating its role in supporting economic and social development, Meethaq reckons sustainable social development as a great opportunity to complement the country’s progress and development. Meethaq has adopted the best practices in Islamic banking and finance worldwide to combine a robust model which protects customers and complements the Islamic banking industry.
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