The decision by Education Secretary Michael Gove MP follows years of campaigning by the Personal Finance Education Group (pfeg).
There was also strong support from Martin Lewis, founder of moneysavingexpert.com, who set up a petition which received over 100,000 signatures and was notified in the House of Commons.
The new programme for pupils in key stage 3 and 4 will cover the functions and uses of money, budgeting, money management, wages, taxes, credit and debt and financial products.
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Tracey Bleakley, pfeg chief executive, said: "This is a huge victory for the campaign for financial education in schools. Financial education is essential in equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to be able to manage their money well."
Mr Lewis said: "This is the first step to ensuring that every child has at least some basic financial education to help them navigate our complex consumer economy. A genuine game changer."
Anthony Browne, chief executive of the British Bankers' Association, said: "Schools should equip children with intellectual learning and skills for life outside the school gates. One of the most important and practical skills throughout life-and one of the keys to prosperous adulthood- is the ability to manage more competently. This is why the BBA and its members support financial education in the national curriculum."

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