EdTech major LEAD launches India's first mobile-based coding and computational skills program

Mumbai-based K-12 EdTech major, LEAD, has announced the launch of India's first mobile-based coding and computational skills (CCS) program for Classes 1 to 8 across all its 2,000+ partner affordable private schools in Tier II cities and towns, and above.

The CCS program is a best-in-class mobile-friendly program that revolutionises computer classes in schools and trains students with 21st century skills at an early age.

Coding has always been a part of a classroom set-up with students being trained in computer labs. But with schools closed due to lockdown, students can use the LEAD app on their mobile phones to attend the CCS program online and derive 100% in-class experience from the comfort of their homes. This unique initiative fulfils LEAD's goal of making high-quality content and excellent learning affordable and accessible to every child in India.

The announcement is in line with the National Education Policy 2020 that underscores the importance of digital literacy and technology in schools, including training students in coding skills at early grade levels. The program aims to deliver a robust curriculum to help students improve critical thinking and other cognitive faculties, and enable them to explore new and exciting opportunities in their educational and career paths.

LEAD Co-founder and CEO Sumeet Mehta said, "With an objective to transform the old computer science curriculum, we were the first to introduce CCS in schools. This was even before the NEP guidelines were put in place to make Coding a part of students' core curriculum. However, after the second wave hit us and online schooling gained momentum, there was a real challenge to take high quality CCS to middle income families who don't have a dedicated computer for their child. So we developed India's first ever Coding program that can be learnt over a mobile phone. This initiative truly democratises access to coding and computational skills and propels our children into a new world of opportunities, thereby staying true to our brand promise. Now parents in small towns don't have to worry about spending thousands on coding programs because their LEAD Powered School will bring it to them as a part of their school curriculum itself."

The program combines the 'Use, Think, Build' approach with excellent curriculum and accessible technology that helps students make practical use of software programs to design and build websites, games, apps, and much more.

LEAD Chief Product and Learning Officer, Riku Sayuj said, "With our CCS online program, we aim to transform the way children learn in conventional schools and enable them to stay relevant in the digital world and ahead of the technological curve. Our initiative is in line with the government's vision of introducing coding in schools and prepares K-12 students for the future. We enable LEAD Powered Schools to adhere to the NEP guidelines even in these tough times, thereby ensuring overall development of the child."

Teaching children coding and computation at an early age boosts their cognitive and reasoning skills, creative thinking, data analysis and visualisation, and problem-solving abilities. It also trains children in the use of computers safely and responsibly, and improves academic competence and performance.