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Life Skills
Section 4: Skills for Life and Work
Module 4:

Ethics & Financial Literacy

What You'll Learn?

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Understand ethical behaviour and honesty in managing money.
Distinguish needs from wants.
Create simple budgets and savings plans.
Recognize values that build trust in work and enterprise.
Materials
Story handout “Fatou’s Honest Choice”
Budget worksheet
Needs/Wants cards
Flipchart
Local price list

Methodology

  • Story analysis
  • Budget simulation
  • Sorting games
  • Group discussion
  • Ethical scenario role-play

Introduction

Ethics and financial literacy teach honesty, fairness, and responsibility. Learners explore real-life money decisions — spending wisely, saving regularly, and avoiding temptation to misuse funds. They discuss the importance of transparency, trust, and accountability in school projects, community work, and future jobs. Financial literacy introduces budgeting, saving, and planning. Students learn that ethical work builds reputation and independence, while unethical acts destroy trust.

Activities

Activity 1: Story – “Fatou’s Honest Choice”

Fatou found extra money in the cashbox and chose honesty. Discuss what this reveals about ethics.

Activity 2: Needs vs Wants Game

Categorize pictures and explain priorities.

Activity 3: Budget Challenge

Groups design a community project within a set budget and present their plan.

Activity 4: Ethical Dilemmas Role-Play

Act out real-life choices around borrowing, teamwork, or sharing profits.

Key Ideas

Ethics:Doing what is right even when unseen.
Budgeting:Planning income and expenses.
Saving:Setting money aside for goals.
Integrity:Consistency between words and actions.

Key Messages

  • Ethics and money management build trust.
  • Honesty creates opportunity.
  • Every ethical act strengthens the community.

Assessment and Reflection

AreaTool / MethodExamples / Indicators
KnowledgeOral quiz / worksheetDefine ethics and budgeting; distinguish needs vs wants.
AttitudesReflection journal / group discussionDemonstrates honesty, fairness, and integrity in class activities.
Skills / BehaviourBudget simulation / role-playPrepares a simple budget and practises ethical decision-making in money matters.
Follow-upOne-week reviewThe teacher notes students applying honesty or teamwork in school projects.

Finished this lesson? Mark it complete, then try the practice questions.

Practice questionsNext module