THE HOUSE Committee on Basic Education and Culture has started deliberating on measures that seek to include savings and investments subject in the high school curriculum.

During a virtual hearing chaired by Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, the panel discussed provisions of House Bill 9006 authored by Deputy Speaker Henry Oaminal and House BIll 9058 by AAMBIS-OWA Party-list Rep. Sharon Garin and Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo.

Oaminal said the inclusion of a savings and investment subject in the curriculum will equip students with the tools for long-term savings and long-term investments.

He added that educated investors are better equipped to recognize frauds and scams and not fall prey to unscrupulous individuals offering get-rich-quick schemes.

Quimbo and Garin said that the advisories on investment scams issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission registered a 97 percent surge in 2020 compared to 2019. Cebu City also registered a 400 percent increase in the number of entities employing fraudulent schemes.

The lawmakers said that investor education will not only teach students alternative savings and investment products, but also develop their long-term investing skills and financial well-being.