The article presents the most important reasons for the low level of the financial and economic competences of high school students. The analysis in this area is based on the research conducted by the National Bank of Poland in November 2014. The aim of this article is to draw attention to the low status of the school subject „introduction to entrepreneurship” which is taught in the secondary school. For this reason the majority of young people lack the basic knowledge in terms of finance and economy. The GFC (global financial crisis) experience has shown that the level of financial liabilities is disproportionate to the possibility of their repayment. One of the reason for this behaviour is the low level of financial education among the young. Therefore, the role of entrepreneurship education at the high school stage is invaluable and determines future attitudes toward economic activity.