Coding will be introduced in primary schools from the onset of the 2020 school year, forming part of the mathematics curriculum at first. Pupils will learn in a creative and fun way without using computers and screens. Minister of Education Claude Meisch explained the children would learn about the functions of the mechanisms which power digital devices, using specialist equipment.
Meisch also said they aimed to establish algorithmic thinking through several subjects from 2021 onwards. This would be done in a child-friendly way, to stimulate pupils’ curiosity and help them to learn the basics of algorithmic principles. Secondary schools will then add a computer sciences class to the curriculum to build on these principles.
Information meetings and continuing education will be offered to teachers. Coding is already being tested in pilot classes in basic education.
The Minister of Education also said it was not enough just to understand how a computer works, but is important that young people can handle social and digital media. In this context ,the “Mediekompass ”, or “Reference guide for education for and by the media”, has been developed, which will provide a reference framework for teachers, in order to help them raise awareness and train young people for media use.
