Programming lessons at primary schools

rotterdam - Over the next two years, thousands of Rotterdam primary school children will be taught in programming of TU Delft students.

This year, the first schools will be taught to students from groups six to eight, next school year, the project will start fully, says Felienne Hermans. She is a university lecturer at TU Delft. 'We want to reach 125 primary schools within two years, although we hope to serve them all three hundred. '

The idea comes from the Rotterdam software company Connectis. 'We are seeing a shortage of programmers in the labor market,' says director Martijn Kaag van Connectis. 'We are constantly looking for good developers. By stimulating programming at primary schools, we hope to contribute a bit. '

He wanted to give employees of his company classes at primary schools in Rotterdam. 'But they found them less eaten than my students,' Hermans laughs. The university came into contact with the company and soon the solution was found. The company pays the students for the lessons they give.

The Rotterdam educationalist Hugo de Jonge is pleased with this development. 'It is extremely important that we work together to prepare children for what is being asked in the future. Initiatives such as these are in line with the objectives of the Rotterdam education policy to encourage primary schools and to help give more attention to science and technology in the classroom. '

It also fits the goal of the municipality to make children study choices that make them profitable in finding a job. 'It is important to prepare children for the Rotterdam labor market. There are a lot of jobs in the technology and ICT sector in our region, now and in the future. '

In total, a class of four lessons will be taught in programming. It is also intended to teach the teachers so that they can take over when the students have left. 'Often they do not know how to teach them. The first two lessons will be the students, after which the teachers will be more involved and can explain themselves to their students, 'says Hermans.

As of September, TU Delft teachers can follow an online programming course specially designed for primary school education. From 2020, science and technology are a compulsory part of the curriculum.