Puerto Rico CofC, Education to boost financial literacy
The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce and the Education Department plan to collaborate on initiatives aimed at strengthening the island’s public education system by introducing financial literacy from the earliest grades and creating professional pathways tied to workforce needs.
Chamber President Margaret Ramírez-Báez and Education Secretary Eliezer Ramos-Parés met last week to discuss proposals designed to better connect classrooms to the workplace.
“The objective of the proposals is to connect education with employment, promote the retention of young talent on the island and support Puerto Rico’s sustainable economic development,” Ramírez-Báez said.
The first initiative calls for a mandatory, progressive financial education curriculum across all K-12 levels. The program would give students tools to make informed financial decisions while encouraging savings habits, responsible investing and an entrepreneurial mindset from an early age.
A pilot is planned for the 2026-2027 academic year in select schools, incorporating technical and academic support from private sector experts and training programs for teachers.
The second initiative centers on professional and vocational routes linked to growth sectors such as biosciences, technology, renewable energy and aerospace. Officials said the effort would give high school students a clearer view of their professional futures by embedding technical certifications, practical experience and internships directly into curricula.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to explore collaboration avenues between the Education Department and the Chamber of Commerce, with joint working groups to design curricula and oversee implementation.
“Today, in this meeting we reaffirmed our commitment to an education that empowers our youth and prepares them for a future full of real opportunities here in Puerto Rico,” Ramírez-Báez said. “We’re enthusiastic about the Education Department’s openness and willingness to collaborate on initiatives that can have a transformative impact on the lives of thousands of students.”
