Ministry of IT & Telecom collaborates with Google to launch Pakistan’s first grass-root level Coding

[Shahzaz ud din]

Ministry of IT & Telecom collaborates with Google to launch Pakistan’s first grass-root level Coding Skills Development Program
By Taha Abdullah on April 16, 2020 - Like us now!

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The MOITT is working with Google to launch a grass roots program that will help develop applied coding skills in kids between 9 and 14 of age. The program is based on Google’s CS First Program and will rely on games and other fun activities to help kids learn basic computer science concepts and to help them develop a coding orientated mindset.

The program will use the Scratch, a block based visual programming language developed by MIT Media Lab specifically to help children understand basic programming concepts. The easy to understand programming language is used around the world to impart primary computer science education to young children and get them excited about programming.

The ministry has chosen Tech Valley Pakistan, an official Google partner, to help introduce the program in schools around the country. Initially, the program will be rolled out in Telecom Foundation Schools, which include 13 schools nationwide. After this, the program will be expanded to cover bigger cohorts of schools all over Pakistan in the coming phases of its operation.

There will be two parts of the program. The first part, Train the Trainer, will be targeted towards teachers and will help them get up to speed about how the program works while giving them the training they need. The next part will be an orientation for the students on the Scratch platform.

The program will help schools develop an integrated curriculum, making it easier to adopt CS courses like this one on a continuous basis.

 

[313ghazi]

Coding should be taught just like we teach maths, science etc. It's key knowledge of the coming century.

 

[Chakar The Great]

Excellent, we need more such initiatives.

 

[Shahzaz ud din]

IT ministry, Google to launch CS First Program
By Rizwan Shehzad
Published: April 19, 2020
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Initiative will introduce computer science knowledge, concepts in children aged 9 to 14. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD : Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication is working with Google to launch a grassroots programme that will equip children with information technology skills and help develop applied coding techniques.

In addition to recent initiatives launched by Google to bring digital skills resources for students and small businesses in Pakistan, the IT ministry and Google will be working together to launch the country’s first grass-root level coding skill development programme in the form of CS First Program in collaboration with Google’s execution partners, Tech Valley.

Ministry of IT, Telecom Foundation, Google and Tech Valley are collaborating to launch the programme with an aim to bring digital skills to underserved communities. CS First, an early age programming initiative by Google for education, is currently being used by thousands of teachers and millions of students in over 75 countries.
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The programme aims to introduce computer science knowledge and concepts in children between the ages of nine and 14. The larger ambition is for the youth of the country to be digitally equipped with IT skills to lead the next generation of technological pioneers and developers.

The students will learn the basics of programming through modern techniques like gamification and methods like scenario-based development or storytelling using a

specialised platform researched and developed by researchers at MIT called “Scratch”. Apart from games, the programme will rely on other fun activities to help kids learn CS concepts and develop a coding orientated mindset.

Tech Valley, as an official execution partner for Google in Pakistan, will be responsible for the complete delivery of the programme by initially conducting “Train the Trainer” for teachers in Pakistan’s three major cities – Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.

The teachers will get an extensive overview of what the programme is all about and a run-through training for the students so that they get comfortable with the learning and deliverance.

Speaking on behalf of IT ministry, Federal Secretary Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui shared his delight on the programme and said “though we are in a difficult time and doing our best to fight a global pandemic, we are aiming that the CS First Program is just the stepping stone in making Pakistan digitally enabled”.

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Umar Farooq, CEO Tech Valley Pakistan said “we have been working with Google in Pakistan since 2017. We want to help the youth of this country to better understand the importance of digital skills and realize the dream of a digital Pakistan.”

“My team and I are looking forward to getting started with the programme as this is the right time when every school is looking towards digital solutions to carry out their classes and work,” he said.

The first phase of the programme will be carried out in telecom foundation schools with a pilot in 3 institutes located in major cities of the country and then expanding to 13 schools.

Subsequently, the next phase will involve bigger cohorts to cover different schools and educational institutes. The programme will also assist the telecom foundation schools in developing an integrated curriculum for adopting the course on a continuous basis.


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