Rashmi Chopra, Founder, DigiCloset
In today’s fast-paced world, financial literacy has become just as essential as academic excellence — yet it remains one of the most overlooked aspects of formal education. Schools teach us how to solve equations and analyze literature, but rarely how to read a bank statement, build savings, or make informed investment choices. This gap leaves young people unprepared for the realities of financial independence — from managing student loans to starting their first business or handling taxes responsibly.
What’s missing is financial mentorship, the human element that bridges the gap between theory and practice. While basic financial education can be introduced through curriculum, mentorship brings real-world context and personalized guidance. A mentor not only teaches budgeting and investing but also imparts the mindset of financial discipline, goal-setting, and risk management. These are lessons that cannot be fully understood through textbooks alone.
Financial mentorship fosters a generation that can think critically about money, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. It encourages young minds to see money as a tool for empowerment, not anxiety. Imagine if every student had access to a mentor who could demystify financial jargon, share real-life experiences, and guide them toward responsible decision-making. The ripple effect would be transformative building a more financially secure, confident, and innovative society.
As someone deeply involved in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, I’ve seen how many brilliant ideas struggle due to poor financial understanding rather than lack of creativity or potential. Integrating financial mentorship into education through partnerships with industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and community programs is not a luxury anymore, it’s a necessity.
Education should not just prepare students to earn; it should teach them how to grow, manage, and sustain their wealth. Only then can we truly say our education system equips young people for life.
