Every October, countries across Europe organise a number of activities spread over a week, which are aimed at motivating people from all walks of life to actively engage in some form of computer coding. Malta is no exception and initiatives have been underway throughout the year. Acknowledging the growing importance of coding and the need to expose children to its potential applications, earlier this year the Malta Communications Authority (MCA), partnered with the Ireland-based CoderDojo Foundation to run a basic learning programme of coding for kids and adolescents. This was possible with the generous help of two, ICT private organisations, Computime Ltd and KPMG Crimsonwing, which offered the services of their professional staff to deliver free coding lessons to children attending the Dun Gorg Preca College and the Umberto Colosso School.
Coding is a family of languages that lies at the centre of all computer programmes, not necessarily only those that are directly linked to computers but essentially encompasses anything electronically reactive, such as car or home alarms, remote controls etc., which are increasingly pervading most aspects of human activity. Learning, or being exposed to coding, even from a very young age, will lead to a deeper understanding of technology and help develop skills and capabilities that will aid individuals to live in a new era dominated by the presence of technology.
The MCA strongly believes that developing a talent for coding at a young age would steer children towards more ICT careers in the future. Given the current and projected shortfall of specific ICT skills in Europe and Malta, the choice of an ICT career would indeed be a very desirable outcome of initiatives of this kind. It is also notable that this initiative compliments the national efforts to meet the 2020 Digital Agenda targets.
Following the summer recess, the teaching of coding to adolescents at Umberto Colosso will resume from mid-October for another scholastic year with the assistance of a voluntary mentor provided by Computime Ltd. Together with a suit of other subjects, this basic course in coding will improve students’ chances of taking up further vocational training in more specialised institutions, such as MCAST. Therefore, such training constitutes an important component in a comprehensive programme of studies aimed at motivating students to enrol in more advanced training courses with an ICT career path in sight.
Whilst seeking innovative ways to ensure the long-term sustainability of this training, the MCA will be looking for other meaningful partnerships in order to create better awareness about the importance of coding in today’s digital age, as well as expand its teaching in new ways to attract more children and adolescents to the subject.
Click here to download the press release in Maltese