Forty five percent of students around the world graduate high school declaring themselves financially illiterate and unable to manage their own money. Financial literacy and education, especially in high school, is a subject that is undermined and not rigorously implemented. With a world that is guided by an ever-growing economy, it’s fundamental for 12th graders at the TCS community to be taught courses related to that subject. Not only would it work for their benefit, but for the financial responsibility of their families, to improve mathematical skills, and ensure progress for education at TCS.

Students are concerned with what their futures might look like financially.This is a critical issue, so the TCS community has started to push for modifications to the curriculum in order to fit the students’ needs.  Federico Jaramillo, TCS Senior and Personero, said that, “To us, it’s a critical topic. There are families at this school that run this country and it is critical for students leaving the school [to be] ready for that responsibility.” TCS, probably more than any other school in the city, has many families that manage  large corporations and immense financial responsibilities. While some might argue that financial education is a personal matter that should be treated within the family unit, they are wrong. Technology changes constantly, and information is more valuable than ever, so a formal course that can educate students financially and give insight into the future is tremendously applicable. Demanded by both parents and students, a course like this would ensure educational security for  TCS families that are looking for a school capable of forming integral students in all areas of knowledge.

Even though the school has made a valid attempt to remedy this issue, there is still too much of a mathematical approach to financial education to TCS. The school did not try to implement a brand new class, instead, they used an established math educator to teach a divergent type of math class. However, the cracks were visible – it was a math class nonetheless. We should instead have a practical-yet-complete course that focuses on plans and education on topics about our Colombian economy. One might say that both courses should be independent, but a connection of the two would generate the best scenario for success. We would make sure that modern-day economic issues are not seen. According to The Atlantic, there are “18-year-olds with 4 credit cards already stacked with debt” and that the “average amount of student credit card debt is greater than $4,000.” At TCS we take  AP Calculus, algebra, and countless mathematical-related subjects. Yet, situations like this – in which HS students are collecting debt – are arising because there are no courses teaching true financial literacy. Students go out of school knowing how to add, subtract, and divide, but not know how to pay taxes, apply for a mortgage, or  even create a budget. The math skills we actively learn at TCS, combined with financial qualifications, would enhance our education and boost our competence in the real world. 

The absence of courses like this goes against the very philosophy of our school. If we are preparing “OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS,” financial education is arguably one of the most tangible techniques to assess that. To teach the class, the curriculum must have life-like examples of how to manage your money. “A class like this requires real-world examples, and should take in mind many questions to guide the curriculum,” Jaramillo said. In creating a course like this, there are also many concerns to bear in mind. “Another practical consideration should be the students’ environments. What financial behaviors did their parents model for them? How does their peer group handle money?” Tim Stoll, editor from the Atlantic, said. For the skeptics out there thinking that the course is not applicable or that it’s hard or abstract to teach, there are many financial literacy books and gurus out there. If they can teach it, why can’t we hire someone who can? There are many guiding questions and inquiries that can create a course to revolutionize the mundane common core. Financial education classes are  fundamental to improve modern education at TCS, as it is an essential part of our values as a school.