CG Fund provided the training for public and semi-private school teachers in Saida, as well as
• 16 computers for Maarouf Saad Public Intermediate School
• Solar power and 20 computers for Kuwaitiya Public Intermediate School
• Solar and 20 computers for Public Omaniya Public Intermediate School
• 5 micro:bit kits for Semi-Private Makassed al Dawha Private School
• 20 computers for Ajial Saida Semi-Private Intermediate School
The 2022-2023 pilot project at Maarouf Saad Middle School gave 30 hours of training plus assistance from their trainers during their first 12 classroom hours to three teachers in coding and robotics. These teachers taught 210 students during the year. These are their comments:
“When I entered the class and told the students that we were going to start learning coding, one of the students jumped over the chair because he heard about coding from neighbors and he didn’t have the chance to know it.”
“I am so glad that my dream came true and someone looked at public schools’ teachers and students. I was always wondering why tech skills are kept just for private school students while public school students are the ones who also need more opportunities.”
The pilot was such a success that it was followed in 2024 with a training program for 13 teachers from five public and semi-private schools in Saida: Kuwaitiya, Omaniya, Ajial Saida, Makassed al Dawha and Al Kayan. They had 36 hours of training followed by 13 live class coaching for 10 of the teachers who delivered an average of 20 sessions/student to 697 students, 51% who were girls, between Grades 3 and 8. The three LITE program teachers are estimated to have reached 600+ students.
Code Brave’s curriculum included
• Fundamentals of programming
• Using block-based and text-based programming platforms to teach elementary and middle school students
• Evidence based practices in K-12 computer science education
• Integration of soft skills & internet safety
Comment from a parent:
“When parents in this area hear that a school like ours is giving coding classes and is competing with big private schools in Saida, and this is a free school, this gave a very big push for the school and the community around it. “
Comment from a student:
“What I like most about Mrs. Sarah’s [coding] classes is that I’m learning new things. I’m very excited to find the solution to each thing.”
