TEN years from now there should be no excuse for anyone not understanding how a mortgage works, how interest rates are set, or the importance of balancing a chequebook: 200,000 post-primary students are being exposed to the Paymaster Programme, an innovative teaching resource on money management from the Irish Banks Information Service (IBIS).

A complementary programme to the successful primary schools project "Money-Go-Round" that was launched in 1995, this one uses audio-visual, print and specimen banking materials to help Business Studies and Home Economics teachers educate students on personal finance management, payment methods and budgeting. The programme has cost the member clearing banks £100,000, money well-invested, says the IBIS if it helps to "equip young people with the skills to take control of their financial lives".

The IBIS has set the end of the school term. For more information contact (01) 671 5299.