In Video: NBK Honors 104 Schools Participating in Bankee Program for Academic Year 2025-2026

National Bank of Kuwait celebrated the schools participating in the Bankee program for the 2025-2026 academic year, in recognition of their pivotal role in supporting the program’s objectives and contributing to enhancing financial literacy among learners, as well as instilling concepts of saving, financial planning, responsibility, and integrity from early educational stages.

The ceremony, held at the Ministry of Education’s theater, honored 104 public and private schools that participated in the program during the 2025-2026 academic year. The event was attended by Minister of Education Eng. Syed Jalal Al-Tabtabaee, President of the Public Authority for Combating Corruption (Nazaha) Dr. Rana Al-Faris, and Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the National Bank of Kuwait Group Essam Al-Saqqaf, along with several senior executives from the bank, the Ministry of Education, and Nazaha.

The Bankee program exemplifies a successful national partnership between the National Bank of Kuwait, the Ministry of Education, and the Public Authority for Combating Corruption (Nazaha). This collaboration has united efforts and expertise to deliver an innovative educational experience that combines financial literacy with the reinforcement of positive values among learners, thereby strengthening the program’s status as one of the leading national initiatives in education and awareness.

This recognition crowns an academic year filled with achievements and acknowledges the pivotal role played by school principals, their assistants, and educational and administrative staff in supporting the program. Their commitment and continuous cooperation ensured the program’s sustainability and the achievement of its goals. School administrations also played a prominent role in maintaining the program’s continuity during the period of remote learning, enabling it to continue its activities and reach learners despite the challenges posed by that exceptional phase.

Investing in Future Generations

On this occasion, Essam Al-Saqqaf stated, “We gather to celebrate the true partners in the success of the Bankee program. The results and achievements attained are the fruit of collaboration between the bank, the Ministry of Education, including school principals and administrations, educational bodies, and the Public Authority for Combating Corruption (Nazaha), who played an active role in translating the program’s objectives into tangible impacts on learners’ lives.”

Al-Saqqaf added, “Since the program’s launch, our goal has gone beyond introducing learners to basic financial concepts; it has aimed to build a generation that is more aware and prepared for the future, capable of making responsible decisions. Today, as we witness the expanding participation year after year, we recognize the significant positive impact the program achieves within schools and in the lives of learners and their families.”

He continued, “Stemming from the National Bank of Kuwait’s firm commitment to supporting sustainable development and investing in future generations, we will continue to work alongside our partners to develop the Bankee program and enhance its reach, in alignment with our vision of supporting education, promoting financial inclusion, and empowering youth with the knowledge and skills necessary for the future.”

Al-Saqqaf emphasized that the bank places great importance on monitoring the program’s implementation on the ground through periodic visits to public and private schools, ensuring the achievement of its targets and maximizing its impact. He noted that the program has seen remarkable engagement from learners and widespread praise from parents, who have observed its positive influence on their children’s behavior and financial awareness.

Al-Saqqaf concluded, “I extend my congratulations to all honored school principals, and I appreciate the efforts of teachers, administrators, and parents who contributed to this success. I also reaffirm the National Bank of Kuwait’s commitment to continuing support for educational and awareness initiatives that contribute to preparing generations capable of shaping a more prosperous future for Kuwait.”

A National Partnership Enhancing Educational Outcomes

For his part, Minister of Education Eng. Syed Jalal Al-Tabtabaee affirmed that building a learner’s personality and developing life skills are two fundamental pillars of the educational process. He highlighted the Ministry’s keenness to provide an educational environment that enables students to discover their abilities, develop their talents, and achieve their aspirations, thereby enhancing their role in actively contributing to building Kuwait’s future.

Al-Tabtabaee stated, “Education is not limited to transferring knowledge; it includes building the learner’s personality, developing awareness, and instilling values that help them make responsible decisions. The Bankee program embodies this approach by translating educational concepts related to financial literacy, integrity, and responsibility into practical practices and experiences within the school environment.”

He explained that concepts such as saving, rational consumption, and financial integrity have become part of the educational system that the Ministry strives to reinforce through curricula and school activities, contributing to building sustainable awareness among learners and strengthening the connection between knowledge and practice in their daily lives.

He pointed out that the Ministry’s focus on learners in early age groups stems from its belief in the importance of values and behaviors instilled during these years, as they form the foundation for building a student’s personality, shaping their awareness, and determining their future. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that schools serve not only as places where students receive knowledge, but also as environments where they experience, participate, take responsibility, and gradually acquire national and value-based awareness.

Al-Tabtabaee also commended the efforts of school administrations, teachers, and educators in participating schools, appreciating their role in transforming program concepts into living educational practices and experiences within the school environment, which contributed to enhancing learners’ awareness, developing their skills, and boosting their self-confidence.

He concluded, “We extend our gratitude to the National Bank of Kuwait and the Public Authority for Combating Corruption (Nazaha) for this fruitful partnership. We also appreciate the efforts of school administrations and educational bodies that contributed to the program’s success. We look forward to continuing these joint efforts and expanding their impact to include more students, believing that instilling values and building awareness among the younger generation represents a true investment in Kuwait’s future, contributing to preparing a conscious and responsible generation capable of preserving the nation’s resources and participating in building its future.”

For her part, Dr. Rana Al-Faris, President of the Public Authority for Combating Corruption (Nazaha), emphasized the importance of initiatives targeting the youth and contributing to instilling positive values in them from an early age.

Al-Faris stated, “The Bankee program is an outstanding model of initiatives that combine financial awareness with reinforcing the value system that youth need in their early stages, including integrity, responsibility, transparency, and respect for public funds. These are fundamental values in building a conscious generation that positively contributes to societal development.”

She added, “Enhancing values of integrity and transparency among the youth represents an investment in the nation’s future. The more these principles are entrenched at an early age, the greater the ability of future generations to build a society based on responsibility, respect for the law, and the fight against corruption. The Bankee program has successfully provided a practical model that integrates financial literacy with values of integrity, using an interactive approach that leaves a sustainable impact on learners.”

She noted that the program’s achievements have received local and international recognition, becoming one of the distinguished experiences showcased at United Nations forums. She pointed out that renewing the partnership for the next five years supports the program’s continuity and expands its impact in Kuwaiti schools.

Al-Faris expressed her hope to continue working with all partners to broaden the program’s reach and impact, reaching more learners, thereby contributing to building a conscious and responsible generation that adheres to values of integrity in daily life and strives to serve its country and preserve its resources.

More Than 50,000 Learners in 104 Schools

During the ceremony, the key achievements of the Bankee program during the 2025-2026 academic year were presented, along with the results achieved at the level of participating schools. The event also highlighted success stories and experiences that reflected the program’s positive impact in enhancing financial awareness among learners and developing their skills in resource management and sound financial decision-making.

The number of participants in the Bankee program during the 2025-2026 academic year exceeded 50,000 learners across more than 104 schools in various regions of Kuwait, with active participation from more than 12,000 teachers, and an investment exceeding 1 million Kuwaiti dinars. This reflects the program’s broad reach and deep impact, as well as its role in empowering educational staff and enhancing their capacity to convey financial literacy concepts using modern and interactive methods.

The Bankee program is the first of its kind in Kuwait, focusing on enhancing financial literacy and inclusion among learners through innovative educational content based on interaction and practical application. This contributes to simplifying financial concepts and enhancing learners’ comprehension, while instilling sound financial behaviors from an early age. These behaviors support financial inclusion trends and contribute to preparing a more conscious and independent generation.

The National Bank of Kuwait continues to consolidate its leading position as the largest contributor to corporate social responsibility in Kuwait, through launching diverse, innovative, and sustainable initiatives targeting various segments of society, with a special focus on supporting the education sector and developing youth capabilities. This stems from the bank’s belief that investing in education and developing youth capabilities represents the fundamental pillar for building Kuwait’s future.