By Hajaratu Kalokoh
Telecommunications operator, Orange SL has launched a computer programming for pupils as part of its effort to fulfill a pledge made towards the government’s Free Quality Education (FQE) initiative.
The program “Super Coders Scratch” was launched on Wednesday at the Annie Walsh Memorial School. It is geared towards exposing pupils to computer programming by connecting colored blocks using the mouse. These groups of blocks, known as Script, tell characters on the screen, which are called Sprites.
In her statement at the launch Orange SL’s Chief Executive Officer, Amanita Kane explained that the program sought to expose Sierra Leonean ladies to the future of technology.
“Teaching you how to code is one of the key skills you need to know. You won’t be able to compete with any kids in the world if you don’t know how to code. We really want you to appreciate what they are doing and hope you will be able to be passionate about it as well,” she said.
The Director of ST Foundation, a digital firm leading the process, Mohamed Dumbuya said the project would help the creativity of the children.
“With scratch, you can make your own interactive stories, animations, games music and arts. Scratch has a large collection of libraries of cool Graphics and fun sounds you can play around with,’’ he said.
He went on: “Let your imaginations run wild and with these skills you will be more creative in building your own stories relating to community development using scratch project.”
The project which is part of the five support project to the FQE and targets children aged 12 -18 years.
The telco says the program will target 20 schools each year over the next five years.
The first phase of the program consists of 10 schools across Freetown as well as in Moyamba, Kambia, Kenema and Bo districts. These schools include Annie Walsh Memorial School, Albert Academy, Kolenten Secondary School and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Secondary School.
“We want to attract more than 2,000 pupils per school for them to know and understand how to use scratch animation,” Kane said.
Veronica Sesay, MP, president of Sierra Leone Female Caucus in Parliament who officially launched the program noted that in their days of schooling there were no such opportunities for having ICT knowledge in schools.
“When we were in school we didn’t know what a computer was, we didn’t even know what a telephone was, we only knew the telephone that used to ring. But now ICT has improved immensely and the world is now closer to us,” she said.
Acting Principal of Annie Walsh Memorial School, Antoinette Horton explained to Politico that the program would expand the knowledge of pupils in ICT.
“I want to believe it will help with their academic work because they will be able to do more research not only depending on what is being taught but also should be able to go in to the internet and get additional note, information to enhance their learning process,” she said.
She added that she was optimistic that the school would benefit much more from the project.
“With the partnership with Orange I want to believe that there will be more computers, more facilities and upgraded packages wherein the pupils will be able to get more information, more access and more knowledge on ICT” she went on.
An SSS II pupil of Annie Walsh, Mama Giwo Jalloh told Politico that the initiative was good and would help improve their literacy in computing.
“The idea is good because at present ICT is important in education. With ICT education will be simple, effective which will enhance a better atmosphere for learning processes. The scratch programming will enable me to create stories through drawing and creating video to express my thought,” she said.
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