Oando Foundation, in conjunction with the United States Global Partnership Initiative Department, LIONS@FRICA, CoderDojo and the Hello World Foundation, has launched an ICT initiative to empower Nigerian students with technological skills for the 21st Century.
The partnership is based on the global CoderDojo scheme which is an open source, volunteer led movement orientated around running free not-for-profit coding clubs and regular sessions for young people.
At Dojos, young people between 5 and 17 learn how to code, develop websites, apps, programs, games and more. Dojos are set up, run by and taught at by volunteers. In addition to learning to code, members meet like minded people, show off what they’ve been working on and so on. CoderDojo makes development and learning to code a fun, sociable, kick ass experience. CoderDojo also puts a strong emphasis on open source and free software, and has a strong network of members and volunteers globally. CoderDojo has just one rule: “Above All: Be Cool“, bullying, lying, wasting people’s time and so on is uncool.
The Foundation also unveiled a new Information Communication Technology Centre at Archbishop Taylor Primary School in Victoria Island, Lagos as part of this initiative.
According to the Foundation, “While students aged seven to 12 years would be taught coding using Scratch (Scratch is a project of the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab), those in the 12-17 age group would start off with HTML and transition to CSS and Javascript.”
“Participants will be introduced to modern computer technology, build fluency in coding and learn computer languages that are used to develop websites, mobile phone applications, computer programmes, and electronic games,” it stated.
According to the director of the Foundation, Ms. Tokunboh Durosaro, “The establishment of ICT centres and implementation of coding programmes is part of Oando Foundation’s far-ranging curricula in its 47 adopted schools across Nigeria.
“Technology is changing our world and driving our economy. We need to make sure our children have the skills necessary to innovate and compete in the 21st Century. Teaching young people to code early on can help to build skills and confidence, and promote creativity by encouraging learning by doing.”
The Special Representative of the Global Partnership Initiative at the US Department of State, Mr. Andrew O’Brien, said, “What’s so exciting about this partnership is that it promotes hands-on, world-class coding skills to Africa’s next generation of innovators.
“We are proud to be part of an initiative that will go a long way toward ensuring young people have the necessary skills, education, and drive to compete in tomorrow’s integrated marketplace.”
