"Al-Watani" Honors 104 Schools Participating in the "Bankee" Program

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. It was attended by Minister of Education Eng. Syed Jalal Al-Tabatabai, Chairwoman of the Public Authority for Combating Corruption “Nazaha” Dr. Rana Al-Faris, and Essam Al-Saqer, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Group, along with several senior executives from the bank, the ministry, and Nazaha.

“Bankee” embodies a successful national partnership model between National Bank of Kuwait, the Ministry of Education, and Nazaha. This collaboration has pooled 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 caps off an academic year brimming with achievements and honors the pivotal role played by school principals, their assistants, and educational and administrative staff in supporting the program. Their sustained commitment and 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 remote learning period, enabling it to continue its activities and reach learners despite the challenges posed by that exceptional phase.

On this occasion, Al-Saqer said, “We gather today to celebrate the true partners of success in ‘Bankee.’ The results and achievements realized are the fruit of collaboration between the bank, the ministry—including school principals and administrations, and educational bodies—and Nazaha, who played an active role in translating the program’s objectives into tangible impact on learners’ lives.”

He added, “Since the program’s launch, our goal has gone beyond introducing learners to basic financial concepts; it has aimed at building 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 bank’s firm commitment to supporting sustainable development and investing in future generations, we will continue working alongside our partners to develop ‘Bankee’ and enhance its reach, in alignment with our vision of supporting education, promoting financial inclusion, and empowering youth with the knowledge and skills needed for the future.”

He 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-Saqer 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 National Bank of Kuwait’s commitment to continue supporting educational and awareness initiatives that help prepare generations capable of shaping a more prosperous future for Kuwait.”

For his part, Minister Al-Tabtabaei emphasized that building the learner’s personality and developing life skills are two fundamental pillars of the educational process. He noted the Ministry’s commitment to providing an educational environment that enables students to discover their capabilities, nurture their talents, and achieve their aspirations, thereby enhancing their role in actively contributing to the building of Kuwait’s future.

Al-Tabtabaei stated, “Education is not limited to the transmission of knowledge; it also encompasses building the learner’s personality, developing their awareness, and instilling values that help them make responsible decisions.” He pointed out that “Bankee embodies this approach by translating educational concepts related to financial culture, integrity, and responsibility into practical practices and experiences within the school environment.”

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

Al-Tabtabaei highlighted that the Ministry’s focus on learners in early age stages stems from its belief in the importance of values and behaviors instilled during these years, as they form the foundation for shaping the student’s personality, awareness, and future. He affirmed the commitment to ensuring that schools serve not only as places where students acquire knowledge, but also as environments where they experience, participate, assume responsibility, and gradually develop national and ethical awareness.

He also commended the efforts of school administrations and teachers in participating schools, appreciating their role in transforming the program’s 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 by saying, “We extend our gratitude to the Bank and ‘Nizaha’ for this fruitful partnership. We also appreciate the efforts of school administrations and educational staff that contributed to the program’s success. We look forward to continuing these joint efforts and expanding their impact to include more students, firmly believing that instilling values and building awareness among the younger generation represents a genuine investment in Kuwait’s future. This contributes to preparing a conscious and responsible generation capable of preserving the nation’s assets and participating in building its future.”

For her part, the head of ‘Nizaha’ emphasized the importance of initiatives targeting youth, which contribute 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, foremost among which are integrity, responsibility, transparency, and respect for public funds. These are fundamental values in building conscious generations that positively contribute to societal development.”

She added, “Enhancing values of integrity and transparency among 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 program has succeeded in providing a practical model that integrates financial culture with integrity values, using an interactive approach that leaves a lasting 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 across Kuwaiti schools.

Al-Faris expressed her anticipation of continuing to work with all partners to expand the program’s impact and reach more learners, thereby contributing to the development of a conscious and responsible generation that upholds integrity in its daily life and is committed to serving its country and preserving its resources.

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

More than 50,000 learners from over 104 schools across various regions of Kuwait participated in the Bankee program during the 2025–2026 academic year, with active involvement from over 12,000 teachers. The program’s investment exceeded one million dinars, reflecting its 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.

Bankee is the first program of its kind in Kuwait, focusing on enhancing financial literacy and inclusion among learners through innovative, interactive, and practical educational content. This approach helps simplify financial concepts, improve learners’ comprehension, and instill sound financial behaviors from an early age, supporting financial inclusion initiatives and contributing to the preparation of a more aware and independent generation.

Al-Watani continues to consolidate its leading position as the largest contributor to corporate social responsibility in Kuwait by 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 commitment is rooted in the belief that investing in education and youth development constitutes the fundamental pillar for building Kuwait’s future.