By Mark Kawalya
As the world moves more towards a digital information age, coding as a vital skill is taught at lower educational levels in other parts of the world. Kenya has not been left behind. The Kenyan Government launched the Coding and Computer Programming Curriculum that is to be started in all public schools about two months after it had been given the green light by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) on April 19.
The content development for the curriculum was done in partnership with Kodris Africa and technology firms. Joe Mucheru, the Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of ICT Innovation and Youth Affairs, also introduced a new government aided digital skills training that is aimed at empowering 20 million Kenyans with current digital skills that will give them tangible knowledge of how to operate in the digital economy.
The Minister lauded the coding syllabus as a system to reckon with that will foster the growth of future computer coding experts in Kenya.
“This is a great day for the country, especially for our children, who will now have the opportunity to learn coding and computer programming at an early age. The world is changing and everyone is going digital, and Kenya will not be left behind as the globe goes digital, “he said.
Mucheru added that the implementation of the Digital Literacy Programme that’s continuing in Kenyan public schools will be buttressed with the new coding syllabus.
“We have already distributed more than 1.2 million laptops for learners in public schools in Kenya as well as connected electricity to more than 22,000 schools, and the initiative is ongoing to capture all schools as we go digital. So far, we are doing well, and with this new coding syllabus, the Digital Literacy Programme will be enhanced, “Mucheru said.
Also in attendance was George Kinoti, the Director of Criminal Investigations, who reiterated that governments need to equip students with computer skills that will enable them to solve future computer-related technology problems.
“Equipping our children with IT skills in schools is very important because in today’s world, even the police must be well trained in computer technologies to fight criminals who are now tech-savvy. Technology helps us bust crime in real time and stay ahead of the criminals,” Kinoti stated.
