The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has launched a nationwide Schools Monetary Policy Challenge aimed at equipping learners with practical financial literacy and deepening understanding of monetary policy through a competitive programme that will see students vie for the symbolic title of “Child Governor.”
In a statement yesterday, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe said the initiative, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, is designed to expose learners to real-world economic policy issues while strengthening financial knowledge from an early age.
“We are excited to introduce the RBZ Schools Monetary Policy Challenge (SMPC) through a partnership with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MOPSE),” the central bank said.
The RBZ said the SMPC will serve as a dynamic national competition in which schools will participate in structured monetary policy simulations and economic problem-solving exercises.
“The SMPC is a dynamic competition giving schools the chance to compete for the prestigious title of Child Governor,” the bank said.
According to the statement, the programme is intended to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world economic decision-making by allowing students to engage with key issues affecting inflation, interest rates, currency stability and national financial systems.
“This is an opportunity for students to dive into real-world monetary policy issues and sharpen financial knowledge,” the RBZ said.
The central bank noted that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to promote financial literacy and economic awareness among young people, who will eventually play a critical role in shaping Zimbabwe’s economic future.
To officially kickstart the programme, the RBZ confirmed that it hosted an induction workshop for provincial education leadership representatives from across the country.
“To kickstart this program, RBZ this morning hosted an induction workshop for all MOPSE provincial leadership representatives,” the statement said.
The workshop is expected to align provincial structures with the objectives of the SMPC and ensure consistent implementation across schools nationwide.
The Schools Monetary Policy Challenge is expected to roll out across provinces in the coming months, with participating schools competing through staged assessments culminating in the selection of a national winner who will assume the ceremonial role of Child Governor.
