(AMMAN) Microsoft Jordan recently partnered with Mercy Corps, the Madrasati Initiative and Jordan Education for Employment (JEFE) to conduct a series of Hour of Code sessions, which took place between the 4th and 10th of December. More than 1,000 students in public schools in Amman, Irbid and Karak were trained during the sessions, in addition to 300 refugee children in both Zaatari and Al Azraq camps.
Hour of Code is a global program reaching tens of millions of students in more than 180 countries. The training workshops organized by Microsoft and its partners took place as part of the Computer Science Education Week– an annual program dedicated to inspiring students between the ages of 4 and 18 to take interest in computer science. For more than three years, Microsoft has been a leading supporter of Computer Science Education Week, providing assistance to educators and non-profit organizations in the implementation of progressive programs and workshops that help simplify the foundations of computer science and democratize the skillsets of our digital future, such as coding and software development.
“As innovation continues to drive far-reaching technological change, one of the key priorities for Microsoft is to play an active role in ensuring that technology evolves into an inclusive and equalizing force,” commented Microsoft Jordan’s Country Manager, Hussein Malhas. “This initiative is a clear reflection of our commitment to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more, as it was conceived to help make computer science more accessible to a wider range of social demographics nationwide, even children residing in refugee camps.”
Malhas expressed Microsoft’s gratitude to its partners, Mercy Corps, Madrasati and JEFE, who spared no effort toward delivering the broad scope of topics covered during the sessions to communities targeted as part of their operations. He noted that the efforts of all partners involved were clearly reflected in the feedback communicated by both participating teachers and students, which highlighted the interactive and inclusive approach that rendered information in a more palpable form for all participants.
“A lack of access to computer science education threatens to widen the income gap between those who have the skills to succeed in the 21st century and those who do not,” added Malhas. “Specialists agree that learning to code is the single most important step students can take to prepare themselves to fully participate in and benefit from the digital economy.”
A core focus of the training sessions was the training of teachers on the fundamentals of coding and the best practices of transferring the skillsets taught to students of various ages and backgrounds. Malhas noted that the training of teachers ensures the longevity of the program, allowing trainers to make a more widespread and sustainable impact.
“The Hour of Code sessions organized by Microsoft and its partners were immensely beneficial to me personally,” commented Ghada Al Qanas, one of the teachers who participated in the training sessions. “Not only did the trainers offer us a simplified and palatable introduction to the world of code, but they also provided us with the tools and knowledge necessary to pass on what we’ve learned to others, which I’m quite eager to do.”
It is worth noting that Microsoft is working across the world to help young people and adults become creators of technology, advance their careers, and grow their local economies by making computer science education and digital skills training available to everyone.
