And I thought the USA were the only country involved with this math issue. What is called "business math" in several H.S. curricula I've seen in the states, is basic arithmetic and then you add (I think they're still called this) the story problems. I used differential and integral calculus for economics (and differential calculus and matrix algebra for statistics), but as my profs. would say, "You can teach anyone to 'plug and chug' the equation. If you don't understand the theory behind it, then how are you going to explain what and why you got the answer you did?"
I remember getting what I guess are finance related questions as story problems in junior high and high school. While I was in my sophmore year of H.S., the then geometry teacher took several days out of geometry to have us calculate a paycheck. She showed us where the tax rates came from and how to calculate and deduct the federal and state taxes from gross pay to net pay, overtime, etc. Her reason behind it was that he own kid couldn't calculate their net pay (she found out her kid's boss wasn't paying the correct wage and not taking out the proper taxes). Along the way, I had various math teachers have the class calculate loan payments for a car, house (mortgage), etc. The math itself wasn't hard--understanding the process and the reasons why certain things happened and when one calculation was correct and another wasn't separated who understood and who didn't.
Additionally, its learning money management at an early age. My allowance was anywhere from $2/wk and maxed out at $5/wk by 9th grade. After that, I was told to get a "J.O.B." in 10th grade. I opened a savings account, then my first checking account when I got the "real job" after college. I'm not going to lie and say I didn't screw up along the way. For the most part I had it pretty decent for a kid growing up in a household with 3 other siblings and a single parent. However, there were a few times in my early 20's when I was late with a debt payment (in one instance, because I was too lazy to drop the damn envelope with the bill payment in the mailbox! UNBELIEVABLE!). It's pretty embarrassing when your boss hands you a telephone message from a creditor telling you to call about a late payment (U.S. laws are somewhat different now, but still that was the wake-up call).
Financial responsibility has to be taught early and at home. I certainly did not learn being late with a debt payment was permissible at home. My mother religiously paid her debt on time and ahead of time. I remember as a kid her tearing up a bunch of mail and throwing it in the trash. I asked why. She said it was someone trying to give her a credit card. I asked why didn't she take it. I then received my one of my first financial lessons: just because someone offers it to you doesn't mean you take it. You live within your means.
Living within your means. Something I did a lot better after age 23...