SAIA 2012/13 financial literacy initiative kicks-off
"Service providers are normally requested to submit proposals on an annual basis for the initiative and then all proposals are vetted by the Consumer Education Committee, with the winning service provider contracted to run parts of or the entire initiative for the required period," says Lelo Ntshalintshali, SAIA Manager: Stakeholder Relations.
Funded through a compulsory contribution by SAIA member companies in the short-term insurance industry, the financial literacy initiative is now regarded, world-over, as a flagship programm that is being used as a bench-mark for best practices internationally.
The funds - which are 0.2% of the profit generated by every SAIA member insurer - are collected by the association and pooled together for maximum impact of the projects undertaken by the SAIA on behalf of its members. For the 2012/13 initiative, SAIA members contributed an amount of approximately R12-million.
"The funds will enable us to continue with the Teacher Development Project (iCount), which focuses on the Accounting subject for Grades 10, 11 and 12. The need for quality educational, curriculum related material in financial literacy is pressing and cannot be over-emphasised. iCount is a step by step accounting resource created in conjunction with an external service provider to help young learners improve their financial skills and to change attitudes and behavior in managing finances"
The SAIA has also partnered with the Financial Services Board (FSB) in revising material used in a successful school project called Managing Your Money, which is a mathematical literacy resource for teachers. This project was first implemented in 2007 over a period of four years in partnership with the FSB. The revised material will be aligned with the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) to be introduced in schools next year.
Another project that the SAIA and FSB have partnered in is the Radio project aimed at educating listeners on general financial skills such as budgeting and saving, as well as short-term insurance product knowledge. This project has proven to be successful and has been run in various radio stations across South Africa.
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