By next year, all Estonian schools will be able to offer programming classes

The Tiger Leap Foundation in Estonia has launched a program called “ProgeTiiger.” That probably doesn’t mean much to you, but it should: it’s a project which allows Estonian students from grades 1 to 12 to learn computer programming at school.

Here is a rough translation of how Ave Lauringson, Training Manager at the Tiger Leap Foundation, pitches the project (via Google Translate):

Student interest in the use of modern technologies has increased every year. However, the change in the school curriculum to promote more intensive computer learning has led to a reduction in teaching hours. The ProgeTiigri creative program creates prerequisites for students to develop from consumers of software to developers of software. Programming complements very well with the support of our many years in business.

The first programming classes will be for primary schools, and are set to start after their teachers go through training this month. Next year, secondary level courses will be added for middle schools and some high schools.

Study materials for all levels of training are already under construction. The program is only for pilot schools right now, but in the years to come all public schools will be able to join ProgeTiiger.

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In today’s day and age, this is a great idea. I would argue the initiative will help students develop logic skills, although the quality will undoubtedly depend on the quality of teaching, like for any other subject.

The question on everyone’s mind is this: will programming ever be a mandatory subject like mathematics? Some schools require that you learn at least one other language in addition to your native tongue. Will you ever be required to learn at least one programming language?

This announcement all the way from Estonia suggests the notion isn’t as farfetched as it first sounds.

Hat tip to Ubuntu Life. Image credit: stock.xchng