Minister of State at the Department of Education, Ciarán Cannon, has extended an invitation to Deputies and Senators of all Parties to bring their children to work this month to take part in the first ever CoderDojo class to be held at Leinster House.

CoderDojo is a voluntary programme which aims to teach children from seven to seventeen to read and write computer coding so that they are equipped and ready to meet the challenges of industry into the future. The class will be held to introduce the children to what CoderDojo is all about and to bring broader attention to the programme on a national level.  

“The idea of teaching children as young as seven how to read and write computer code is that one day it will come as naturally to them as reading and writing English. This will give them an enormous advantage when they eventually head out into the world of work. It will also ensure that Ireland is producing the calibre of computer programmers needed to meet the technological challenges of the future.

“As a founding member of the Athenry CoderDojo, which has up to 120 children in attendance each week, I see, first-hand, the benefits of this initiative. Children learn in a relaxed environment, picking up tips and hints from other children of all ages and are given the freedom to explore the world of technology without the burden of exams and the other pressures often associated with school.

“There are no cost implications to attending CoderDojos as the classes are run by accomplished academics and industry leaders on a completely voluntary basis. This, in my view, makes this initiative the essence of true community activism for the 21st century.

“On Wednesday, 18th July, I will be hosting the first ever CoderDojo class in Leinster House for the children of Deputies and Senators from all Parties. This will be the first class of its kind and of what I hope will be an annual event which will come to signify the progress the programme is making.

“The goal for the future is to have 3,000 CoderDojos in Ireland, with one taking place every week in every parish right across the country. It is incumbent on us to give our children the best possible start in life. What better way to do that than by getting involved with CoderDojo?”