24 January, 2006 - New European Central Bank resource pack for schools will provide students with valuable insight into economic policy – Hanafin
Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin, T.D., today launched a new resource pack for schools Price Stability: Why it is important for you at the Central Bank. The pack, developed by the European Central Bank, will be distributed to all second level schools over the next few weeks. It is also being distributed to 50,000 secondary schools throughout 12 countries that share the euro as their currency.
The information pack, which is aimed at junior cycle and transition year students, includes a detailed resource manual for teachers, an explanatory leaflet for students and a short video. It is available in both English and Irish and examines the importance of monetary policy and price stability. This is the first time that the 12 national central banks of the euro area have produced a single cross-border education pack.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Hanafin highlighted the importance of investing in the economic education of our students in order to benefit our future economy. Minister Hanafin said The challenge is in educating our students as consumers with an understanding of the basics of economic theory and its impact on them as individuals. I believe that the materials in this resource pack Price Stability: Why it is important for you meet that challenge by providing information that is accessible and user-friendly for both teachers and students.
Business subjects, especially Economics, empower students with knowledge of their role as consumers. It also equips them with the knowledge and skills to improve both their own economic well-being and that of their fellow citizens. I believe this pack and the activities and discussion that it will stimulate will be an excellent support in achieving the balanced and valuable educational experiences that are needed in business subjects and in the Transition Year at post-primary level.
Minister Hanafin thanked Governor Hurley and the Central Bank for their involvement with the project and also thanked the Business Studies Teachers Association of Ireland for the work that they do in supporting business teachers in their ongoing professional development.
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