Why financial literacy should be taught like math in school

In 2022, only 16.7% of teenagers were said to be “financially literate” in India. Shocking isn’t it? I was shocked too, until I really connected the dots around me.

In India, class and caste still shape a lot of our opportunities. And when it comes to learning about money, that divide becomes very clear. Let’s keep it simple and break it into three groups: upper class, middle class, and lower class.

In the upper class, privilege often comes in a mix of dysfunctional detachment and dopey entitlement. Money is rarely a problem, but accountability often is. Some even exploit reservation systems through fake documents or bribes- corruption hiding behind a system meant for equity.  This creates a mindset where shortcuts seem normal and the true value of money is never learned. Why bother learning how to manage it when you’ve always had it or can get more of it, legally or not?

Then there’s the middle class, where I’ve noticed a totally different problem. These are families that live carefully (sometimes fearfully) within their limits Like Allu Arjun in Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, they're taught to value security, stability, and saving every rupee. Risk? Investment? Passive income? Those feel like rich-people words. However, they’ve managed to master the basics of financial literacy, such as saving and budgeting. They stay within their bubble and don’t bother to get educated and try out different methods where they can get full financial freedom. So financial literacy becomes less about growth and more about survival. And while that teaches discipline, it also breeds a mindset that avoids risk even when there’s potential reward.

As for the lower class, the issue seems blatantly obvious. There are barely any assets to manage and almost no resources to start the learning journey. Forget investing- most teenagers in this group are pushed into labor or struggle with basic access to education, let alone specialized knowledge like investing, credit, or compound interest.

So when you hear that only 16.7% of Indian teens are financially literate, that number suddenly makes way too much sense. But it makes you appreciate those 16.7% of Indian teens who overcame their class struggles and became financially literate. The teenagers from the upper class engaged themselves in ethical finances, regardless of what their families actions were. The teenagers from the middle class woke up from the brainwash that they’ve been taught from birth and educated themselves. The teenagers from the lower class worked the hardest and invested in resources or reached out to mentors to achieve financial literacy.

To increase this percentage, financial literacy must be taught as a core subject along with mathematics in school. It helps the future generation to overcome all the issues that are currently present in their respective classes. Because no matter which class you belong to, money affects your future. And unlike algebra, you're going to use it every single day.