Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication joins hands with the Google to start a grassroots level Coding Skills Development Program which is based on the CS First Program.
The platform which will be used in this program is “Scratch” platform which is a specialized tool researched and developed by MIT. Tech Valley Pakistan as an official Google partner will assist the MoITT for the complete delivery of the program by initially conducting “Train the Trainer” for teachers in Pakistan’s three major cities such as Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.
CS First Program is currently being used by thousands of teachers and millions of students in over 75 countries. It will train children between the ages of nine and 14 with information technology skills and enhancing coding techniques. 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
The teachers will get an extensive overview of what the program is all about and a run-through training for the students so that they get comfortable with the learning and deliverance.
Federal Secretary Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui shared his happiness on the program and said that 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.
CEO Tech Valley Pakistan Umar Farooq 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 program 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 program 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 program will also assist the telecom foundation schools in developing an integrated curriculum for adopting the course on a permanent basis.