Free coding courses to equip young children in Cape Town

Cape Town-based school, Christel House, enables children to learn how to code through its free coding lessons.

The school said the lessons are offered to Grades 1 to 7 who live in the poorest neighbourhoods such as the Cape Flats. 

“In line with global technology trends, the school acknowledges that coding will become a basic literacy requirement in the digital age and that understanding the fundamentals of technology will be essential to securing a job in the future,” said the school.

These lessons are taught by a qualified coding teacher and are offered for an hour a week. 

The school explained that these lessons focus on core introductory themes ranging from the basic functionality of devices, the structure of an operating system, and how to code logic statements, concepts, and variables. 

The programme is proudly supported by Dell Technologies, a long-standing information communications technology (ICT) partner of the school.

“Thanks to Dell Technologies, the school has a one-to-one student to device ratio, allowing each student to code on their own tablet during lessons,” said the school. 

Carol Kriel, Junior School Principal, at Christel House SA said teaching a child at an early age how to code facilitates critical thinking, helps with problem-solving, instils a love for mathematics, and helps to become more ‘future proof’ in a changing global environment. 

“Having made coding compulsory for our Junior School learners, we are introducing them to the world of computer science, which will enable them to be fully prepared for the 2030 workplace,” Kriel said.

Coding is offered as an optional subject in Christel House’s High School and the school said they have found that many high school learners are eager to pursue a career in coding and software engineering. 

The school also offers robotics as an extra-curricular subject in both their Junior and High School and have participated in the National World Robotics Olympiad since 2017. 

Through Christel House’s in-house College and Careers Department, learners receive individual career guidance and support throughout their school career and for an additional five years post-school. 

The organisation explained that doing so, ensures that students complete their studies and find gainful employment in a career of their dreams. 

“We believe that now more than ever, it is paramount that impoverished youth are equipped with the critical skills needed to bridge the digital divide and step into a 21st-century society where they can have equal opportunity to succeed”, added Kriel.

Editor’s note:

Christel House is teaching children and the youth how to code. Coding is understood to be a skill that is used to write computer programs. It facilitates critical thinking, helps with problem-solving, instils a passion for mathematics, and helps to become more ‘future proof’ in a changing global environment.

Description: 

The school offers coding and robotic lessons to children and young people who live in the poorest neighbourhoods such as the Cape Flats.  

Editor: Thato Mahlangu

Project manager: Anirlé de Meyer