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Coding and AI technology should be taught at secondary school level

Published : Saturday, 4 January, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 1700
Md HasanUl Bari
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become the focus of practice in the world of technology. Not only the practice but also the use has increased. Research is going on how this technology can be used for the development of human civilization. And that Artificial Intelligence has entered the field of education as well. A lot of debate is going on whether it will be good or bad. 

However, it is certain that an information-technology-dependent world will be ours. And the new generations of today will walk in that world. How our children do in that world will depend a lot on their 'digital literacy'. So parents in today's world want their children to acquire some basic knowledge about digital technology from an early age.

Today people use mobile and computers most of the time, running applications and websites between computers and mobiles. But how these applications and websites are created is unknown to many. So let us inform you that all these are created with the help of coding. But many people have very little idea about coding. 

Computer coding is the process by which computer programs are designed. All the operations that are executed on the computer, can be understood by the computer through coding. This is because computers only understand coding language. If we want to do some work on the computer, we have to tell the computer through coding. Today, coding is used in everything from modern computers, the internet, smartphones, software, games, automation, artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, IoT, websites, apps etc. A specific program is written with the help of coding. And with the help of these programs, the computer completes specific tasks. 

There are many reasons why we should learn coding, some of these are: 1. Coding makes problem-solving expert, 2. Coding teaches thinking, 3. Improves academic performance, 4. Coding boosts creativity, 5. Potential to become a good computer programmer, 6. Job creation in the software industry, 7. Coding makes learning maths fun for kids, 8. Coding builds confidence in students, 9. Learning of coding can add new levels of skill later in the career and 10. Learning to code can automate the tasks of professionals, thereby improving work efficiency. 

There are more than 700 programming or coding languages in the world, developed for different technologies and tasks. Some of the popular programming languages are: C, C++, Java, Python, JavaScript, FORTRAN, R, Go, Ruby, HTML, CSS, PHP, MYSQL, .NET etc. But to learn coding, it is better to start with simple and versatile languages first.

On the other hand, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the implementation of human intelligence and thinking power through computers. This is a unique invention in the world of science. Using artificial intelligence, machines or applications can be adapted to work with human intelligence and thought. The term artificial intelligence was first used by the American computer scientist John McCarthy. That is why he is called the father of artificial intelligence. 

Before that, in 1950, eminent scientist and mathematician Alan Turing invented a method to verify the artificial intelligence of a machine known as the 'Turing Test'.There is no field in today's world where artificial intelligence is not applied. However, some notable areas are education, medical science, industry, restaurant business, battlefield, agriculture, transportation of goods, manual labour, driving unmanned aircraft or cars, coding itself etc. 

In this context, Microsoft CEO Mustafa Suleman says that this time AIwill not only work, but also will talk and behave like humans. Recently, Japan has used artificial intelligence based robots to present news on its country's satellite TV which has also become quite popular.On the other hand, Tech Giant Google's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) SundarPichai says that more than 25% of Google's new software development code is being created by artificial intelligence (AI).

There are more than 700 programming or coding languages in the world, developed for different technologies and tasks. Some of the popular programming languages are: C, C++, Java, Python, JavaScript, FORTRAN, R, Go, Ruby, HTML, CSS, PHP, MYSQL, .NET etc.

Although Bangladesh has started using artificial intelligence (AI) in some sectors, it is far behind in the global context. Analysts say this requires state patronage and skilled manpower. Internet speed is one of the drivers of digital technology in the current era of artificial intelligence. Bangladesh ranks 112th in mobile internet speed in the world. Such a figure has emerged in the March 2024 index of web service organization Speedtest. Meanwhile, Bangladesh ranks 108th in the world in terms of mobile internet as well as broadband internet index which hinders the use of AI tools.

Many developed countries in the world including South Korea, Japan, New Zealand and even neighbouring India have included coding and AI technology in their secondary-level education curriculum. Recently, China's Ministry of Education has decided to include artificial intelligence (AI) in the curriculum of primary and secondary schools. The country's education ministry said in one of its directives that there is a need to raise the standard of AI education in schools to "meet the need for innovative talent" in the country and enhance students' digital skills and problem-solving abilities. 

According to the guidelines, emphasis will be placed on providing basic concepts and experience of AI technology to students in the first phase in primary schools. At the end of primary and secondary levels, students will focus on understanding and applying AI concepts. Higher secondary students will focus on creating AI-centric innovative projects and their higher application. Earlier in 2017, China released a national plan aiming to lead the world in artificial intelligence. After this, in 2018, more than 500 universities and colleges in China launched graduate programs in AI.

In keeping with the times, it is necessary to include coding, educational AI tools, and web-developing languages in the education curriculum of our country at primary and secondary levels. We don't want to see our new generation behind in technology. As a result, it is the nation's request to all those involved in education, to help develop our new generation as global citizens by including coding, educational AI tools and web development languages in the primary and secondary levels in our country's education curriculum as well as preparing our students to compete in the future technology world so that they can be strong in digital skills and innovative thinking.


For this purpose, it is necessary to organize school programming competitions from the upazila level to the national level every year. It is also the modern computer labs with high-speed internet connectivity that should be set up in all secondary-level schools in the country: Teachers should be given training on technology, especially coding and AI tools. Further, schools' libraries should have an adequate supply of books on modern technology among other subjects. 

Lastly it may be said that the school students of our country should not fall behind in the game of coding and logic.

The writer is a columnist and teacher, Millennium Scholastic School & College, Jahangirabad Cantonment, Bogura



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