PRESS RELEASE
The final phase of "Real Value of Money” competition

Bank of Albania, in the framework of education program “Central Bank in Everyday Life”, ran the “Real Value of Money” competition with high–school students. This challenge is one of the activities projected in the Memorandum of Collaboration, between the Ministry of Science and Education and the Bank of Albania, signed on 13 December 2007, which aims to broaden the students’ knowledge on the role of the central bank in the domestic economy, and to promote the development of the economic culture at home.

The challenge was held in the theatre of the Academy of Arts, in Tirana, where participants were the 5 winning schools at the district level:  “Tirana Jonë” high-school – Tirana, “Themistokli Gërmenji” high-school – Korça, “28 nëntori” high -school Shkodra, “Ali Demi” high-school – Vlora, “Siri Shapllo” – Gjirokastra. This competition was attended from students, teachers, and representatives of the Education Department of Tirana and relatives of participants.  The Minister of Science and Education, Mr. Myqerem Tafaj also attended the event. In his speech, the Minister congratulated the Bank of Albania for the commitment in such an initiative, which bears a lot of values for the new generation of the country. 

During the opening speech Governor Fullani stated that: “even though, financial issues, in appearance, are not of any concern for your generation, the day will come that you will need to manage your own budged and that of your future family, or save money for investments, like university and post-university education, to buy a new car or house. Through the analysing of the global crisis’ performance, we realise how important is for individuals to have a full economic and financial background starting from the early age, to be prepared to live and operate in a rapidly changing and developing market. In this view, as I have always stated in my meetings held with young people, we, at the Bank of Albania are “promoters” of establishing an economic and financial culture starting from the elementary level of the education system”.

The winner of the competition’s final phase was “Themistokli Gërmenji” High School from Korça. For the winning team, the Bank of Albania delivered a prize of LEK 100.000, for each student. They may use this prize, after their 18 birthday, as a financial aid for starting their university studies.

At the conclusion of this challenge, the Governor of the Bank of Albania, Mr. Ardian Fullani, as well as Chairman of the judging panel, congratulated the students and teachers of participating schools as well as the respective districts Education Departments for the support they provided for the successful accomplishment of this activity.