i think that this is an absolutely fantastic move forward , working as a debt support worker i get to deal with many peole that are experiencing finacial difficulties and feel quite strongly that preventkion and better education on dealing with debt is a good move, i know only too well the negative and destroying effects that debt can impact on a life often with disaterous results, well done for making the right move at a time when debt is reaching an all time high , I hope this will take off in all areas as soon as possible

lesley-Anne Jackson, Tamworth , Staffs , england

It is important for young people to learn about personal finance and enterprise whilst at school. The record figures for personal debt and increasingly high number of young bankrupts are staggering. However, tell most students that they are going to be taught how to manage their money, plan a pension or understand what an APR is and they will glaze over. For personal finance education to be effective it needs to be taught in a new and engaging way.

The Enterprise Education Trust, the UK’s leading business and enterprise education charity, is developing a new, exciting financial literacy programme which will be piloted in schools in London and Liverpool from Autumn 2007. The programme will use cutting edge resources and trained business volunteers to make personal finance education understandable and relevant. It is programmes like this that will really make the difference.

David Millar, London, UK

There are two main mysteries in life. The first is Love, the nature of which is dealt with in many ways by artists and philosophers, etc. The other mystery is, of course, Money. The nature of Money is never discussed in the main stream of things but it ought to be since it is an extremely important subject.

I agree with the comments of Matt Myers, Redhill, UK, when he points out that our money system is debt-based.

We must educate not only the children but the whole community on the perils of such a preposterous system as we have been saddled with since 1694.

As there is no hope of borrowing our way out of debt, it seems to me that the logical thing to do is for government to issue its own money and spend it into existence, debt and interest-free, rather than going to banks to borrow their bits of paper and discs of scrap metal at a huge cost to not only us all but the environment.

The only real beneficiaries, if one can call them that, are the international bankers.

John Thomas, Penzance, Cornwall

Not before Time ! If the idiots that run our education system had included some 'Real Life' examples in the Maths curriculum they may well have improved the exam results and kept children interested in the subject.

Robert, Edinburgh,

Teaching Children how to manage their finances is absolutely FANTASTIC!

If only this was available to us teenagers of the 70s. I believe it should become compulsory for every child the country to be taught how to manage money - starting them as young as 5, to manage their pocket money, an inheretence or even that Premium Bond they got from their grandparents.

Sharon Dyer, London,

I applaud this decision and recall my own lack of financial knowledge when I left school back in 1984. To allocate time each week for children to be taught how to manage their own finances, how to apply for a mortgage, to learn how pensions work etc can only be a good thing. Schools need to alert their pupils to the pitfalls of debt, to the minefield of obscure legal and financial terminology and the way banks' lust for profit governs the way we live now. I really hope this initiative succeeds and in time we can hope for a more financially astute generation tomorrow. Education is the only way to halt this cycle of debt.

Julie Charlesworth, London,

How can people be expected to manage their debts when the entire monetary system is debt based. Virtually all the money in the economy now exists as debt. The money we earn as wages is just somebody elses debt. We own all our asset wealth with debt. Debt is the new paradigm. It is now accepted as normal to exist on borrowed money, not just for our homes, but for pretty well everything else too. Rather than teaching people how to manage their debts, we should be teaching our people how our monetary system actually works.......and who the real beneficeries of the whole filthy corrupt system are. That is the how to stop people becoming slaves to the money lenders.

Matt Myers, Redhill, UK

An excellent idea, but why only for 11-16 year olds? I would have thought that the 17 & 18 years olds (who may be getting some small income from part-time jobs, etc) would benefit even more. It makes me angry to think of the load of rubbish I was subjected to at school without a mention of personal economics, banking, mortgages, debt and credit, etc. In retrospect I think the subject which has been of most use to me was "woodwork" - pity they didn't add plumbing, home electrics, etc.

(A retired academic and scientist).

Dr Colin Key, Mexilhoeira Grande, Portugal

Amazing: I was taught in school about money and how to handle it in the classroom in England at the age of 8 or so way back in the early 1950s! In fact I remember not being able to do the simple mental arithmetic to give a classmate some change <using cardboard money!> and so i just grabbed a handful and gave it - and got roundly and properly scolded by the teacher.

2 lessons from that: (1) no doubt teachers and the system in the 60s and 70s became more trendy and as part of the "just let them learn what they want to" syndrome dropped such "old fashioned" and useful/sensible teaching and (2) scolding would probably get the teacher sacked today. No wonder kids end up drifting these days.

Gerry Watts, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Whilst there are some good intentions here in preparing children for their future, you must also notice the amount of left wing idealism being sneaked into these curriculum changes under such ambiguous titles as environmental awareness and diversity. These subjects, whilst important, should never be allowed to become core to children's learning above basic, objective instruction on real subjects, but unfortunately their importance is becoming subjectively skewed and forcefully driven by those faceless Marxists who inhabit that ridiculously unaccountable and politically motivated Labour disgrace, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. Why aren't more questions being asked as to what is truly behind all these education changes and the real value they are giving to children's ability and development, other than to condition them into model socialists and influence their political tendencies as they grow to ensure they follow the thinking of the left wing loonies running education

bryan reed, Totland Bay, UK

Who is going to teach the teachers (many whom are in debt) the wisdom of living debt free?

Michael Levy, Fort Lauderdale, FLorida

Hang on a minute...........

The GCSE was introduced in 1988, focussing on teaching children number skills they would need later in life.........

GCSE Maths would presumably cover 'numeracy skills' such as interest rates and percentages????

Of course - it doesn't - you need 40% in the Maths exam to get a grade C - so we've got kids with grade C passes in Maths who are innumerate.........

Exam results up!!! Numeracy rates down!!!!

Education!!! Education!!! Education!!! Wonderful stuff!!

Duncan Rothwell, Houghton-le-Spring,

I think this is a brilliant idea and have been calling for it for the last couple of years.

I work in the banking industry and I know how important it is for people to understand complex and competing financial products and services. Numeracy is of course important but it shouldn't be confused with the financial awareness and responsibility that this new course should bring.

The cheap political points made by the Tories are as predictable as they are misplaced.

Lee, Otley,

About time too. But Banks and Financial institutions must also brought under more strict control. Its about time the Usuary Act was enforced.
The Banks ability to charge vast sums in interest rates should be controlled, its these ridiculous interest rates (in some cases more than 20% more than Prime ) that are the main cause of debt across the world.

Louis, Manchester, UK

This is an excellent idea: most children from affluent homes learn about finance and the complexities of economics and money-making from a young age as their parents are successful and already have these skills to pass on. Having state-funded financial education will hopefully even up the social divide and give all children a chance to manage their money wisely for future prosperity. It's just a pity that the government is the one forcing young people into debt to begin with due to the imposition of tuition fees, a lack of an effective policy on housing and a tax grab on pensions.

MB, Edinburgh,

Instead of giving teenagers lessons in how to manage their money, try teaching politicians lessons in how to manage your money - called 'taxes'. You might get something useful out of that exercise. But that won't happen in a million years.

Christopher Holland, Canberra, Australia

“economic wellbeing and financial capability” ?
We used to call it Arithmetic!
Amongst other things we learnt were, Gas and Electricity bills, including reading the meter, Simple and Compound interest. Margaret Thatcher disposed of these with her Curriculum reforms and 'Early retirement for teachers'.

Peter Westoby, Cheltenham, UK

I work in a comprehensive school and we already teach all of the above.

Kate, Gloucester, UK

I think its about time they introduced this into the curriculum. I always wondered why they didn't teach things like this at all at school, as its obviously a very valuable life skill to be able to manage your finances. Couple of years too late for me now but there's hope for the next generation.
Thankfully I've not been hit by debt to have to worry as of yet but with university in september and no true knowledge of loans and budgeting to this extent, its a learn on the job situation at the moment.

Michelle, oswaldtwistle, uk

Isn't this the sort of thing that parents should be teaching their children?

I think that making sure everyone leaves school with numeracy skills should always have been a priority, and needs immediate action if the figures are as poor as indicated.

But I think that restricting banks from charging interest and teaching 11-16year olds how to work out interest rates on credit cards is addressing the symptoms, not the problem.

Adam Foster-Fahy, Bristol, UK

I think that it is a fantastic idea to teach younger people life skills. Whilst I was growing up I was never really taught key skills until I went into Undergraduate study, and I now wish that at primary school and high school I was taught more of these essential skills required in life, in particular money management. In todays society children can open bank accounts at younger ages and they need to know and understand the process of banking and one hopes that it does prepare them for the future and possibly move people away from the "debt living" with are experiencing now.

Tracey Snelus, Birmingham,

The country is run by the money men in the City. How can any one believe it is right saddle all our best and brightest kids with debt just for educating themselves and in the same breath bemoan the lack of skills? In a few years a decent education will be for the rich only, and those lucky few will spend their time complaining about the barbarous society around them.

Meanwhile, the educated few will take their jobs in the City and set about further enslaving the ill-educated majority in years of debt and tax servitude. We're going back to the 19th century.

The minor benefits of university fees in no way justify the disastrous consequences for society.

Martin, Rochdale,

An intriguing prospect, given that debt is fundamentally unmanageable.

Now if only Polonius and Mr Micawber were still on the syllabus, pupils might stand a chance of learning something really useful about debt.

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

It's no 'accident' that young people are falling straight into debt. This government has pushed for more and more young people to go to University (regardless of whether a degree is the best route for them), removed student grants, introduced tuition fees, opened up the borders so there are few part time or summer jobs and allowed house prices to skyrocket through buy to let and other schemes that disadvantage first time buyers. It's not lessons in personal finance that's needed- it's enabling ordinary, working people to be able to gain a decent education, buy a modest home and raise a family. New Labour have lined the pockets of landlords and business owners at the expense of tenants and employees.

Dan, Oxford, England