The Kenyan government, through KICD, has approved a new syllabus for teaching coding in primary and secondary schools.
Coding, which is also known as programming involves translating human intentions into commands that can be understood by computers.
The chief executive of KICD Prof Charles Ong’ondo indicated that coding is a practical thinking activity that enables children to imagine, create and solve problems.
“In the past, coding was conceived as a high-level activity yet children can start engaging in early learning levels, the program will involve practical lessons.” Prof Charles Ong’ondo.
He further said the classes shall be offered by Kodris Africa, an online publishing firm that specialises in equipping learners with 21st-century skills such as creative problem solving and algorithmic thinking right from the elementary level.
Kenya is the first African country to approve this kind of syllabus. Kodris will be offering the syllabus in another 48 nations on the continent.
Kenyan Children join a list of growing giants like the United States, England, Finland, France and Germany who have made coding a key area of study in their curriculum.
The approval by KICD comes just days after ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru unveiled the Kenya National Digital 2022-23 master plan that guides the ICT sector in accelerating socio-economic growth.
Read also; Education Sector takes lion’s share in Kenya’s 2022/23 Budget.