Are concepts of currency, savings, or investment only meant for adults?
At The Dewey Schools, the answer is no. Recently, Dewey Cau Giay Elementary students had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with these concepts through the Cashville Kidz Financial Management Competition, sponsored by the Maybank Foundation.
In the Cashville Kidz competition, teachers created a real-world environment for applied Mathematics. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, or percentage concepts were transformed into tools for them to calculate budgets, compare consumer values, and make smart spending decisions. This clever integration helps students realize the practical value of Mathematics, thereby sparking a passion for self-study and logical thinking in a natural way.
Thanks to this, despite being only in 4th and 5th grade, the students achieved impressive results at the competition:
TOP 3 BEST STUDENT (Vietnam) 2024; THE BEST FAMILY AWARD 2025 – Phung Vi Ngoc Diep
THE BEST FAMILY AWARD 2025 – Vu Gia Huy
Sharing about this journey, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy—Head of the Elementary Mathematics Department, who has 3 years of experience leading and accompanying generations of Dewey students at the Cashville Kidz playground—stated: “Many parents worry that financial education at the Elementary school age is too early. However, in reality, through spending management problems in the competition, they learn to take responsibility for their decisions. What makes me proudest is not just the awards, but the moments of watching the students confidently think with numbers, step-by-step forming financial management habits naturally.”
These foundational bricks of quantitative thinking and smart financial management from the Elementary level will be connected seamlessly throughout the Secondary and High school levels through the Junior Achievement (JA) Business and Career Orientation subject. The Middle and High school program will continue to equip them with specialized skills in entrepreneurship, career orientation, macroeconomic financial literacy, and practical business knowledge. This is also a solid toolkit for students, helping them continuously develop problem-solving mindsets and a spirit of autonomy to be ready to adapt and lead the future.
