Special needs kids learn money basics

High-school students Daniel Yeow Boon Howe and Nurizzah Nadhirah Abdulla, and their classmates visited a Daiso chain store recently to put their money management skills to the test.

- Chor Khieng Yuit

The students of Grace Orchard School, which teaches children with special education needs, had earlier learnt how to identify their needs and wants and to spend only on essentials.

Daniel, 16, said: "You need to save a lot of money to buy things."

He eventually bought a stretch band for $2 because he wanted to build up his leg muscles for running events. He also bought two drinks - his favourite apple juice and a mango juice - because they were on sale and within his budget.

Nurizzah, also 16, bought a correction pen and a rainbow spoon. She saw a magic wand toy that she wanted but decided against it because "it is a want".

This financial literacy programme is an initiative by DBS Foundation and SG Enable to equip people with disabilities with financial literacy skills so that they can live more independently.

They learn basic financial life skills such as budgeting and money management, eventually progressing to learn about banking digitally, being aware of scams and staying safe online.