Kodris, M-PESA in deal to promote learning of coding skills among students
Education technologies provider Kodris Africa has entered into a partnership with Safaricom to help children leard how to code through the purchase of computer programming tutorials via M-PESA app.
Customers can purchase tokens that will provide a year’s worth of coding lessons through the M-PESA platform and then activate them either on a tablet, laptop, or desktop computer for their children to learn how to make software codes.
Kodris Africa is the provider of Kenya’s first-ever government-approved programme for teaching coding, which is now the most in-demand skill globally.
The Kodris Africa platform is approved by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) and is globally accredited by Pearson, one of the world’s largest education companies.
It is classified as curriculum support material at KICD but applies to students in all other modern education systems.
“We are excited to partner with Kodris to expand access to learning solutions to more than 30 million M-PESA customers who can now conveniently access the Kodris Mini App through our M-PESA Super App. This partnership will enable Kodris to take advantage of our payments and IT solutions to innovate for their customers,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom.
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Already, KICD has approved a programme for teaching coding, which is now in the roll-out stages in the country.
The programme is undertaken vurtually, and individuals can purchase licenses so that students who have access to computers and the internet at home can access the coding tutorials.
Kodris Africa is also offering attractive school packages to ensure that learners in school can access the lessons through highly affordable packages.
Kodris Africa CEO Mugumo Munene said that the partnership with Safaricom would go a long way in initiating the subject in the education system in Kenya.
“The digital revolution taking place throughout the world is transforming how work is done. The skills that students will learn via Kodris Africa will be relevant today and tomorrow and allow them to explore and unleash their creativity and innovativeness in a highly digitized and computerized world which offers growth opportunities,” said Mr Munene.
According to Africa Developer report 2021, more African developers are getting full-time jobs due to both the rise in demand from local startups and the global demand for remote technical talent.
The survey also established that women developers, learners, and junior developers would benefit from better infrastructure and more educational opportunities.
“Junior and emerging talent, as well as under-supported groups including women, need vocational training and affordable internet access to benefit from broader progress. Tech companies are
making headway through local partnerships.,” the study says in part.
