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Discussion on: Should programming be taught in schools?

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Reece Coombes

Personally, I think the topic should be taught from age 6/7. It can start with simple things like algorithms for mundane tasks (e.g. writing in a book, walking to the playground), but could progress as students get older.

Ideally, I think all students should be familiar with sequential programming in a language like Python by the age of 12, and should be familiar with basic logical thinking.

As they go through secondary/high school, they should learn about data structures and efficiency, and computational thinking should be embedded in the curriculum for maths, business, ethics and many other subjects.

More and more jobs are looking for proficiency with computers, and there is a major shortage of programmers all around the world. Schools have been behind the trend for decades, and it's time they caught up!