Education Singapore plans to introduce programming lessons on public schools to boost the economy

Singapore plans to introduce programming lessons on public schools to boost the economyterence Lee
2:38 pm on Jan, 2014Follow @terenceleejx

Update on January 15:added a statement from IDA about its plans.

The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), a government agency in charge of the country ' s internet industry, I s planning to progressively introduce software programming classes into public schools, giving students a opportunity to Write code in a classroom setting. The news was first reported on Good Morning Singapore in Mandarinyesterday.

Given the rapidly changing nature of the technology industry, the agency hopes to roll out these classes quickly in the NE XT few months with the ultimate aim of keeping, the Singapore economy at the top.

"Infocomm technology is getting to being more pervasive, and we all recognize that it's going to being a strategic catalyst for [Singapore's] competitive advantage, "said James Kang, Assistant chief executive of the government Chief information offic E at IDA.

To is sure, topics like programming and 3D printing is already available in some schools as extra-curricular activities W ith IDA ' s help, so it's unclear how these classes would differ from previous initiatives.

The agency have told Tech in Asia It's currently in exploratory talks with the Ministry of Education on how to Introduce programming to students, so it does not know if the topic would become part of the curriculum or remain an extra -curricular activity.

According to the StraitsTimes, about 1,500 students has been taught "advanced computing concepts" through IDA ' s School programs. At Radin Mas Primary School, Nan Chiau High, and Greenview secondary School, students is taught to use 3D design software and 3D printers to create prototypes.

Meanwhile, Hwa Chong institution and Dunman High has introduced programming to teenagers, with Dunman exposing students t o Python, a popular language for creating Web apps as well as statistical and scientific.

These schools all belong to the Middle-to-upper tier in Singapore's public education system–lauded as among the world ' s Best in math and Science–with Hwa Chong in particular representing an elite school. As technical skills increasingly become a pathway to sustainable careers, it's hoped that IDA can equalize the field by G Iving students from less prestigious schools more opportunities to pick up programming.

Private classes is available

Private education providers has proliferated in Singapore, offering a variety of workshops ranging from 3D printing to Ha Rdware tinkering to app Creation–which have unfortunately been touted as the next great internet marketing scheme.

According to private IT education vendor Kore Infotech, more parents is recognizing the value of technical competency in The modern economy, and they want their kids to build a foundation at a early age. For the company, this have resulted in an increase in sign-ups for classes at a and percent annual rate in the past S.

"[Parents want their kids] exposed to this, so it makes it easier for them to make a career choice earlier. We also see many polytechnic and university students coming in because they found it challenging when they directly face P Rogramming in college first, "said one of the trainers in a interview with Good Morning Singapore.

The company began offering it classes for kids and years ago, using a specialized program called Simple that allows child ren to create programs using a Easy-to-understand coding language. It plans to promote their courses to schools

Tech Literacy and hacking–not the harmful kind–are increasingly being recognized as important skillsets not just in Si Ngapore, but other parts of the world. In the states, both Silicon Valley heavyweights and the federal government has backed an intiative called Hour of Code, which promotes computer and STEM education in the country.

A major impetus for the "push in both countries are a shortage of technical talent–the lifeblood of the tech startup scene –that is product creators instead of just system maintainers. Tight immigration policies in both nations is also resulting in a inward look-to-nurture talent at the grassroots.

In Singapore, the challenge doesn ' t lie just in developing technical know-how. It's even more difficult to convince young people that the engineering path was one worth pursuing, rather than one to fall Back on when opportunities to more prestigious careers in law, finance, or medicine appear out of reach.

(Editing by Josh Horwitz, photo credit:stephen Chin)

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[Education]singapore plans to introduce programming lessons ' schools to boost the economy