Teach all upper-secondary students finance, economics amid rising interest in cryptocurrencies

There has been much interest, especially among our youth, in cryptocurrencies.

This is by no small measure driven by the exploits and influence of Tesla boss Elon Musk, one of bitcoin’s most ardent supporters.

Then there was the trading frenzy over American video-game maker GameStop’s stock, driven by retail investors who exchanged tips on social network Reddit. Young Singaporeans also reportedly pumped money into the stock.

I would like to propose to the Ministry of Education that all upper-secondary students learn a non-examinable subject titled Sustainable Economics and Finance. This will expose them to basic economics and investment strategies.

I hope that this would give our upper-secondary students a sound basis for their future dealings with the financial world.

Right now, economics is taught in only a few secondary schools in Singapore.

As an economics educator who teaches secondary school students, I feel that Singapore's young are exposed to information about cryptocurrencies without understanding the complexities of economics and finance. 

Some students may be exposed to basic economics only when they cross 16 years of age, if they enter junior colleges and polytechnics.

Without proper financial understanding, our youth may be future high-risk-taking speculators and their life savings may slowly dwindle.

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