National Bank Honors 104 Schools Participating in 'Bankee'

- Jalal Al-Tabtabaei: “Bankee” embodies the transition of financial concepts into practical practices within the school environment.

- Rana Al-Faris: Instilling values of integrity at an early age lays the foundation for a society based on respect for the law and the fight against corruption.

- Issam Al-Saqar: The program’s success is the result of fruitful collaboration with our partners in the Ministry of Education and “Nazaha.”

National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) 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, and reinforcing 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. Jalal Al-Tabtabaei, Chairwoman of the Public Authority for Combating Corruption “Nazaha” Dr. Rana Al-Faris, Vice Chairman and CEO of the NBK Group Issam Al-Saqar, along with several senior executives from the bank, the Ministry of Education, and Nazaha.

“Bankee” represents a successful model of national partnership between NBK, the Ministry of Education, and the Public Authority for Combating Corruption “Nazaha.” This collaboration has contributed to unifying 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 position as one of the leading national initiatives in the educational and awareness sectors.

This recognition caps off an academic year full of achievements and honors 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 remote learning period, enabling it to continue its activities and reach learners despite the challenges posed by that exceptional phase.

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

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

He continued, “Stemming from NBK’s firm commitment to supporting sustainable development and investing in future generations, we will continue working alongside our partners to develop the ‘Bankee’ program and enhance its scope of impact, in line with our vision of supporting education, promoting financial inclusion, and empowering youth with the knowledge and skills needed for the future.”

Al-Saqar emphasized that the bank places great importance on monitoring the program’s implementation on the ground through regular 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 added: “I extend my congratulations to all the honored school principals and deputy principals, and I appreciate the efforts of teachers, administrators, and parents who contributed to this success. I also reaffirm (Al-Watani)’s commitment to continuing support for educational and awareness initiatives that help prepare generations capable of shaping a more prosperous future for Kuwait.”

For his part, Minister Al-Tabtabaee emphasized that building the learner’s personality and developing life skills are two fundamental pillars of the educational process. He noted 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 the construction of Kuwait’s future.

Al-Tabtabaee stated: “Education is not limited to the transmission of knowledge; it also involves 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.

Al-Tabtabaee explained that concepts such as saving, rationalizing 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.

He 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, considering them the foundation for building a student’s personality, shaping their awareness, and determining their future. He affirmed 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 ethical awareness.

He praised the efforts of school administrations and teachers in participating schools, commending 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 added: “We extend our gratitude to (Al-Watani) and (Nizaha) for this fruitful partnership. We also appreciate the efforts of school administrations and educational staff who 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 resources and participating in building its future.”

For her part, Al-Faris emphasized the importance of initiatives targeting youth and contributing to instilling positive values in them from an early age.

Al-Faris stated: “(Bankee) is an outstanding model of initiatives that combine financial awareness with reinforcing a system of values 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.”

Al-Faris 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. (Bankee) has succeeded in providing a practical model that integrates financial culture with integrity values, using an interactive approach that leaves a sustainable impact on learners.”

She noted that the program’s achievements have garnered local and international recognition, establishing it as a distinguished model showcased at United Nations forums. She emphasized that renewing the partnership for the next five years will ensure the program’s continuity and expand its impact across Kuwaiti schools.

Al-Faris expressed her hope to continue collaborating with all partners to broaden the program’s reach and benefit more learners, thereby contributing to the development of a conscious and responsible generation that upholds integrity in daily life and is committed to serving their country and preserving its resources.

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

More than 50,000 learners from over 104 schools across various regions of Kuwait participated in “Bankee” during the 2025–2026 academic year, with active involvement from over 12,000 teachers. The initiative saw investments exceeding one million dinars, underscoring its broad scope and deep impact, as well as its role in empowering educational staff and enhancing their capacity to convey financial literacy concepts through 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 goals and contributing to the preparation of a more aware and independent generation.

National Bank continues to solidify 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.