The Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange (ECSE), in collaboration with its partners, has announced the launch of the Regional Schools Investment Competition. This program is designed to provide high school and first-year college students with a dynamic learning experience, introducing them to the world of investing and the intricacies of the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange. The initiative aims to stimulate money and capital market development in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) by fostering a new generation of informed and active investors.
The competition offers participants an opportunity to engage with securities market activity firsthand, test their financial knowledge, and gain invaluable investing insights and skills. The ECSE, alongside its licensed member broker-dealers and the Eastern Caribbean Securities Regulatory Commission (ECSRC), in their commitment to education is targeting young people to pave the way for future market participants.
The Regional Schools Investment Competition is built upon several key objectives:
- To raise awareness among youth, teachers, and parents about the existence and functions of the ECSE, the Eastern Caribbean Securities Market (ECSM), the Regional Government Securities Market (RGSM), the ECSRC, and ECSE licensed member broker-dealers
- To educate the youth population across the ECCU about investing in securities on both the ECSM and RGSM
- To inform young people about the process of trading securities and the vital role played by broker-dealers
- To inspire and excite young individuals to further explore investing and to become active participants in the market in the future
The competition is open to students from across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union, specifically:
- 3rd Form through 5th Form (Grades 9-11) high school students and 1st year 6th form/college students.
- Participating countries include Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Each school can register a maximum of one group, with each group comprising four to six students. The competing school groups will vie for the coveted title of overall Regional Champion, bringing recognition and bragging rights to their school and country.
The competition officially kicks off with an Investment Education Webinar on Thursday, October 2. The main Competition Period runs from November 14 to November 17.
