21. July 2025 Admin

Should Coding Be Made Compulsory in Secondary Schools?

Arguments in Favor

Making coding compulsory equips students with essential digital literacy and prepares them for the tech-driven future. In today's world, understanding how software works is as important as reading and writing.

Coding develops problem-solving, logical thinking, and creativity. It empowers students to become creators, not just consumers of technology, and opens doors to careers in IT, AI, robotics, and data science.

Countries like the UK and India have already integrated coding into their school curriculums, showing improved student engagement and readiness for the future job market. Nigeria risks falling behind without such innovation in education.

Arguments Against

Critics argue that making coding compulsory may overwhelm students who already struggle with core subjects like Mathematics, English, and Science. Not every student is inclined towards computer science.

Implementing such a policy in Nigeria may be unrealistic due to lack of trained ICT teachers, inadequate infrastructure, and unstable electricity in many schools—especially in rural areas.

Others believe coding should be optional, not forced, to preserve curriculum balance and give students freedom to focus on areas that align with their strengths and interests.

Conclusion

While coding is undeniably valuable in the modern world, the decision to make it compulsory must consider Nigeria's current educational capacity. With the right investment, however, it can become a transformative force in our schools.

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