Dissertation
The role of collaborative education in shaping early financial literacy among primary school students in China: a qualitative case study
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Drexel University
Aug 2026
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00011565
Abstract
Primary school children encounter money through everyday activities, yet early financial education in China remains underdeveloped. This qualitative case study explored how collaboration between a public primary school in Eastern China and a financial institution supported early financial literacy. It aimed to inform age-appropriate teaching and sustainable school-business partnerships. Three research questions guided the study: 1) What motivates business leaders and employees to volunteer in financial education? 2) In what ways can business participation influence learning outcomes? 3) What challenges and achievements do teachers and business volunteers experience in cross-boundary collaboration? Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with five teachers, focus group discussions with ten business volunteers, and classroom observations. Written records and observation notes were analyzed through coding, category development, and theme refinement. Data-source triangulation compared teachers' perspectives, volunteers' accounts, and classroom observations. The findings identified three motivations for volunteering: corporate social responsibility, personal and professional development, and brand image. Business participation enriched lessons through teaching resources, real-life examples, and experiential activities. Participants' accounts and observations suggested that these contributions supported student engagement and connected financial concepts with everyday decisions. However, professional terminology often required teachers' explanations in child-friendly language. Other challenges involved brand exposure, educational neutrality, resource allocation, and curriculum coordination. Shared lesson planning, repeated communication, and joint problem solving gradually strengthened trust and cooperation. The study concludes that educational value depends on how professional resources are adapted and partnerships are managed. Clear commercial boundaries, volunteer training, stable resources, and regular evaluation are important for sustainable collaboration. The findings offer practical guidance for school leaders, partnership directors, and policymakers, while reflecting adult perspectives and observed classroom processes rather than demonstrating causal or long-term learning outcomes.
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Details
- Title
- The role of collaborative education in shaping early financial literacy among primary school students in China
- Creators
- Pengda Sui
- Contributors
- Jennifer Katz-Buonincontro (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University
- Number of pages
- xii, 128 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Arts and Sciences; School of Education; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022207845404721