Importance of Education
Blue Financial Services Ltd (Blue or the Group) believes that every child is entitled to fundamental human rights and to be treated with dignity. Access to education for all children reflects that belief.
Primary education supports children at a crucial time in their physical, emotional, social and intellectual growth. Education is therefore a key tool for development and an essential means of reversing inequality and disadvantage.
Primary education provides children with the life skills that will make it possible for them to flourish later in life. It provides children with the skills to maintain a healthy and productive way of life, grow into resourceful and socially active adults, and make cultural and political contributions to their communities. Education also passes on other qualities such as critical thinking, interpersonal and communication skills, resilience and self-confidence.
In short, education prepares one for greener pastures through employment because an educated adult population is imperative for strong economic development. Education also lays the foundations for greater overall economic productivity and the full use of new technologies for development.
Studies have shown that schooling helps fight child labour and abuse.
An educated and literate population is also more likely to be clued up about sexual risks and better able to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS.
A lack of gender equality in education is often a critical factor in the underdevelopment of many countries. The education of women is a powerful way of sustaining improved health and education in the long term. As the saying goes: “If you educate a man you educate a person but if you educate a woman you educate a family”. In addition, the education of women also addresses engrained cultural views about traditional female
roles because they are empowered and equipped with skills enabling them to make a full contribution to their communities.
Blue understands the importance of all of this.
Blue and Education
For Blue, microfinance is a means to effect large-scale social and economic transformation in Africa. Through responsible development and empowerment finance, Blue's clients are given the tools to foster financial freedom, improve their own lives and that of their families. As a result of this, Blue helps stimulate the local economy.
Blue is a pan-African microfinancier currently operating in 14 countries. In the nine years since Blue opened its doors to the continent, it has increased its customer base to over 450 000, providing them with a wide range of affordable products, including the in-demand education loan product.
According to Blue COO, Christo Klopper, "Employers are constantly faced with employee’s requests for salary advances for school fees, yet they do not have the means to play financier and advisor. This creates a big need for a responsible partner to offer a solution to this headache. Blue’s experience, systems and ethical policy offer this solution."
The Blue education loan pays for school fees and uniforms up to a tertiary level. Money is paid directly to suppliers and the loan repayments are calculated at a lower interest charge than a consumer loan, thus making it affordable and accessible
"With Blue, giving your child an education is as easy as ABC," explains Klopper.
A - Ask for a pro forma invoice from your school for school fees, or ask for a pro forma invoice from the suppliers of school uniforms and stationery, or ask for all three.
B - Bring the pro forma invoices to your closest Blue branch for approval and quick payment. Don’t forget to also bring:
C - Collect your goodies and start school!
"One must never forget that the financially-empowering products that Blue provides, such as education loans are critical to the development of Africa and its economies," Klopper concludes.
For information about Blue Financial Services and their full product list, contact:
Morné Reinders - Corporate Affairs Executive
Email: blue@blue.co.za
www.blue.co.za
