Tinotenda Hove – The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has committed ZiG10 million to the Schools Monetary Policy Challenge, a move critics say is a desperate attempt by Governor Dr John Mushayavanhu to use pupils to prop up a currency that continues to lose value.

The programme was launched in Harare this week. According to RBZ, it is meant to introduce learners to monetary policy and financial literacy while encouraging debate on the country’s economic challenges.

But the announcement comes as ordinary Zimbabweans struggle with rising prices, stagnant incomes and deepening economic uncertainty.

Presenting the funding, Mushayavanhu framed the competition as a long-term plan.

“This monetary policy challenge is much more than a competition, it is a strategic national investment in our young people and in Zimbabwe’s future. Here in Zimbabwe, young people constitute a significant share of our population and represent one of our country’s greatest assets. Through the SMPC, we are therefore investing not only in today’s learners, but also tomorrow’s leaders,” said Mushayavanhu.

That explanation has done little to calm anger on the ground.

“So the plan is to teach children about a currency that can’t even buy mealie-meal?” one critic said.

Another observer commented, “Instead of fixing the economy, RBZ is spending ZiG10 million to lecture kids. This is about saving ZiG, not saving people.”

Economists argue that financial literacy programmes mean little when inflation is eroding wages and unemployment remains high. They say the central bank would have more impact by addressing real monetary and fiscal problems instead of funding competitions.

The ZiG10 million allocation is likely to fuel further debate as Zimbabweans continue to question RBZ’s priorities amid ongoing h