Coding on deck for grade-school students as B.C. unveils new curriculum
VANCOUVER — Students in British Columbia’s public elementary schools are on track to become the first generation to get basic training in computer coding as the province answers a call from its thriving tech sector.
Some children in grades six to nine will begin learning the ABCs of digital technology once the government adds coding to teachers’ lesson plans in its modernized curriculum.
Schools will receive the new curriculum in September and the program is slated to be phased in over three years. The goal is to expose all kindergarten to Grade 12 students to coding basics within the next decade.
Premier Christy Clark announced the plan Monday among several initiatives to address a shortage of workers with digital skills that are needed by B.C. tech firms in the government’s bid to bolster the knowledge economy.