It is hard to believe the school year is ending and it is the last week of June already. Congratulations to all the high school graduates and best of luck in the next chapter of your lives. Next year will also mark a new chapter for Ontario high schools. After 25 years, the Ontario secondary school diploma will be modified and there will be new graduation requirements for all Ontario high school students. On May 30th, the government introduced new high school graduation requirements with new financial literacy requirements, including both literacy and practical financial literacy skills. I do think that this is a step in the right direction. Financial literacy is an important life skill in which many adults say they feel that they are not proficient in. To improve young people’s chance for financial success, the Ontario government has recognized that high school students going out into the world need to have the ability to understand how to earn, spend, save, manage and invest money. Here is the news release from the Ontario website. Province Introduces New High School Graduation Requirements for a Stronger Ontario Diploma
It is my hope that this update to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma helps to give our next generations some of the foundation they need to help them build secure and successful financial futures for themselves and their families.