Enhancing Thai youngsters' money skills

The fourth Diamond Crown in Economics: Nern Tong Kong-Mee Ka and Sufficiency Economy Philosophy contest will take place on August 25 and 26 as part of the SET’s drive to educate the young generation on money-matters.  Other sponsors are the Capital Market Development Fund Foundation, CPF Trading, the Crown Property Bureau, National Office of Buddhism, Nongpho Dairy, Office of the Basic Education Commission, Romchatra Foundation, Satree Wittaya School II, and the Thai Life Assurance Association. 

Thailand is moving towards the launch of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015. Helping prepare youth become a key component of our country’s workforce is very necessary. The country needs to be alert and ready to cope with fiercer competition at the regional and global levels. The SET is playing its role by enhancing youngsters’ knowledge and expertise to cope with the new challenges ahead.

The SET will train teachers to help prepare their students for the Diamond Crown in Economics contest. The contest will have four levels: level 1 (Pratom 1-3), level 2 (Pratom 4-6), level 3 (Matthayom 1-3) and level 4 (Matthayom 4-6).

The contest will feature three rounds:

In the “Diamond selection round”, schools will select student representatives for the contest. 

The “Cut diamond” semi-finals round will comprise an economics test, with the top 10 scorers in each age group advancing to the final. 

In the “Diamond crown” final round, finalists must pass another set of intensive economics examinations and then give presentations on assigned subjects. 

There will be four winners at each level.

Schools nationwide from levels Pratom 1 to Mathayom are invited to send five students in each level to compete for scholarships worth more than Bt1 million in total. The final round will be on August 25 and 26 at Satreewithaya II School, Bangkok.  Students are invited to attend panel talks and exhibitions, mainly about the Asean Economic Community.

Building an understanding of economics and personal finance in youth is one of SET’s key activities. Over the past three years, a total of 6,000 students from 2,100 primary or secondary schools have participated in this contest. 

SET realises the importance of corporate social responsibility and has incorporated it as a major part of its vision. Thus, this contest emphasises one of its missions, which is to build a foundation of expertise about savings and personal finance among youth. Other activities include the SET Junior Financial Club and Young Financial Star Competition.

For more information, visit 

www.TSI-Thailand.org or call the SET call centre at (02) 229 2222.

 

Krisada Sektrakul is director of the Stock Exchange of Thailand’s Market Education Centre.