Mat Ali (standing, second row fifth left) poses with the participants.
KUCHING: The Coding@Schools programme may become part of primary school syllabus, said Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah.
He said it is important for the younger generation to have early exposure in learning computer language to build websites, applications and robotics. In fact, it would encourage them to contribute towards internet or technology rather than just being users.
“The Coding@Schools programme is a government initiative under the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) to encourage innovation and enterpreneurship through coding. So, we may turn this coding programme to become a subject for primary schools,” he said during his visit to the Coding@Schools 2018 mini bootcamp held at Borneo 744 yesterday.
The boot camp was part of the Ministry of Finance (MOF) session with the people at the same venue. He added the programme was held to build 21st century skills in pupils with problem solving, creativity, collaboration and computational thinking.
Meanwhile, State Education deputy director Abang Mat Ali Abang Masagus said the hosting of the programme is in line with the Chief Minister’s digital economy development policy.
He said the use of technology is very popular as it makes life easier. Smart applications use is a must for today’s lifestyle.
“Based on the presentation by participants, I see that they have been successful in making practical applications to make their daily life simpler like book lending, book buying, car washing and other apps.”
“This is what the State government wants in line with the digital economy development, and we hope similar programmes will be held to create a new technologically skilled generation,” he said during the closing ceremony of the programme.
The programme gives exposure and arouses pupils interest in technology as they learn coding, and supports them in exploring, experimenting and problem solving. Pupils also improve communication skills and make friends with pupils from other schools.
The pilot programme held since 2016 has trained 9,000 pupils nationwide. It is an initiative by MOF with the co-operation of Education Ministry and State Education Department under NBOS. The three-day programme which ended yesterday saw 40 pupils and four teachers from SJK(C) Bintawa and SK Kenyalang learning to develop applications using the LiveCode platform.