Credit union schools quiz to make in-person return this month

The Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) has announced the return of the Credit Union Schools Quiz for 2023. School children across the island are getting ready to get ‘their brains in gear’ as the quiz returns in person for the first time in three years.

The quiz is an important part of the ILCU’s youth outreach programme, which aims to demonstrate the value of local credit unions to children and young people. The ILCU is the largest credit union representative body on the island of Ireland, working on behalf of member credit unions in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Over 25,000 students from schools across the island will compete in three quiz rounds over the next number of months. Beginning with the local rounds taking place from 27th to 30th January, teams will then advance to the regional rounds on 3rd to 5th March.

The winning teams from the regional stages will make it through to the grand final at the RDS, Dublin, in April 2023. Here they will compete in a nerve-wracking battle of the wits against a number of other formidable teams of four. All teams will have their eye on the prize with a total of €4,000 up for grabs overall for the winning schools.

The quiz is divided by age group, Competition A for school children aged up to 11 years and Competition B for children between 11 and 13 years old. The winning teams at the national final receive €1,250 for their schools, with the runner up teams in each category receiving €750 for their school. Prizes will also be awarded to teams at the local and regional finals this January. The local and regional knockout rounds are organised by credit union staff and volunteers.

Helene McManus, President of the ILCU said: “After two years of online events, we are absolutely delighted to be finally hosting the Schools Quiz in person again this year. While everyone still had fun online, nothing can match the buzz and excitement of the children participating in person at our national final in April.

"The Credit Union Schools Quiz is a popular fixture on the annual schools’ calendar. The ILCU is proud to host an event that seeks to encourage and develop teamwork and collaboration between school age children. I wish everyone participating the best of luck, in each round, and I look forward to welcoming the finalists to the RDS in April.”

Credit unions offer a number of educational resources for children, parents and teachers to guide on promoting financial literacy from a young age. This includes Start Money Smart for primary age children and Clued In for secondary school students. Both programmes were developed by teachers and provide a range of engaging and interactive activities, in line with the curriculum subjects of maths, history and business studies. They are freely available for teachers in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.