DUBAI: People learn new things every day and for the 120 faculty members of United International Private School (UIPS), whose turn it was to be seated, listening and taking notes, financial literacy was a subject as exciting as reading – or science, perhaps – would be for a grade schoolers.
A first-of-its-kind seminar on the matter for schoolteachers was recently held at UIPS in what had been two days of learning for the educators themselves in matters of entrepreneurship and financial freedom.
“We have seen a lot of our compatriots very eager to learn how to handle savings, investments and business of their own while still teaching (others may be full time in establishing their own) in the near future,” said Francis Errol Medina, financial advocate who facilitated the workshop.
He said the event was meant to create awareness among school teachers and foster possible ventures on savings, investment and entrepreneurship, thereby making them self-sustaining and debt-free.
“We aim to have all our kababayans ready financially when they re-integrate back home in the Philippines. This is the very essence of our financial advocacy, it is to help our fellow Filipino be aware, change their mindset, engage and execute with respect to their financial freedom,” Medina added.
The teachers were taught to, among others, use tools and techniques like SWOT analysis (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat); as well as the GSA approach (Goals, Strategies and Action).
Among those present during the workshop were 14 administrative heads such as the school principal, assistant school principals, guidance counselor and the governing board members.
