12 Sep 2019

 The Ministry of Basic Education, in collaboration with UNESCO, SAP Africa and Clicking Generation will commemorate the fifth edition of Africa Code Week in Maun September 13 (tomorrow).

Africa Code Week is the story of hundreds of schools, teachers, governments and non-profit organisations getting together to bridge digital and gender skills gaps in Africa.

The goal of Africa Code Week was to empower the young generation by teaching them coding skills in order to thrive in the 21st century. 

The activity would be focused on mobilising the collective efforts, expertise and resources to deliver joint education priorities.

Minister of Basic Education, Mr Bagalatia Arone, is expected to officially launch the event, which is in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the National Development Plan 11 and the Education and Training Sector Strategic Plan’s common objectives to bridge the digital skills gap.

According to a statement from the ministry, the Africa Code Week activities had begun and it was reported that the Africa Code Week ambassador and volunteers had been visiting regions and schools countrywide soliciting support for the exercise as part of the preparations for the launch.

It was revealed that the Africa Code Week Organisation had obtained sponsorship to facilitate the training of teachers as trainers of trainers (ToTs) around the country.It further stated that the ToTs would then train volunteers, who would then assist in the training of leaners in coding during Africa Code Week from 16th-26th September 2019.

The exercise is designed to spark interest in young learners for coding and the associated opportunities that would arise from the acquisition of such skills, while at the same time providing teachers with skills that could assist with teaching and learning.

Meanwhile, according to Africa.com, a multi-platform media company producing news and information about Africa, the initiative was spearheaded by SAP in 2015 as part of its social investments to drive sustainable growth in Africa. 

It has been reported that the initiative had benefited over four million young Africans so far, in digital skills development.

The initiative is actively supported by UNESCO Youth Mobile, 28 African governments, over 130 implementing partners and 120 ambassadors across the continent. SAP also works closely with UNESCO to increase girl participation in the workshops. ENDS