JA Finance Park is a personal economics programme, aimed primarily at Junior Cycle students. JA Finance Park helps build a foundation for making informed personal financial decisions on a lifelong basis, including issues related to income, spending, saving, and credit.
Based on a programme and online simulation operated by JA USA, the programme for Ireland-based young people was developed by Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI) with the expert assistance and active support of the CCPC Financial Education team.
In completing JA Finance Park modules, students aged between 13 to 16 years old explore their needs and wants, taxes, debit vs credit and the importance of a budget, no matter your income.
During 2023/2024 school year 733 students participated in the JA Finance Park programme nationwide. The programme was delivered in 21 schools in 7 counties by 43 business volunteers from 10 different JAI-supporting organisations.
Teacher Feedback
Overall feedback from the teachers involved in the programme was very positive.
Teachers particularly commented on the relevance to curriculum, hands-on activities, and student engagement. The following data was collated through interviews, surveys, and observations.
*100% of teachers surveyed would recommend the programme to a colleague
*100% of teachers surveyed would like to run the programme again next year.
“I believe JA Finance Park is a very worthwhile programme for my students, it gave them an insight to what real life looks like in terms of where money goes and how you have to balance your income and expenditure.”
Niall Hughes, Greystones Community School
Student Feedback
Overall feedback from the students in 2023/2024 is very positive. 175 students responded to the post programme survey. As this accounts for approximately 24% of participants this provides a rich data source to evaluate learning outcomes.
• 90% of students enjoyed the classes
• 81% said the activities made them think about their future finances
Interested in planning for your future:
After students completed the JA Finance Park programme, 58% said they had a HIGHER interest in planning for their future.
Of the 175 student surveys collated, 53% of students attended non DEIS schools and 47% attended DEIS schools allowing JAI to compare the impact of the programme between the two cohorts. Interestingly, when looking at the break down between students in DEIS and non DEIS schools, the impact is even more pronounced with 63% of students in DEIS schools indicating they a HIGHER interest in planning for their future.
Understanding Budgeting:
After students completed the JA Finance Park programme, overall, 64% said they had a HIGHER understanding of budgeting.
This increases to 68% among students in DEIS schools.
Among students attending DEIS schools, we see a positive impact of the programme on them in terms of their financial planning:
• An increase from 82% of students to 95% who agree that goal setting is important to help guide their future
• An increase of 4% on students who understand the importance of budgeting
• 9% more students understand the important of planning for their future