THE goal to build a nation of coders is the driving force behind Hour of Code, a virtual coding education event pioneered by the Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center (NOLITC) in Bacolod City in collaboration with Coders Tribe.
NOLITC and Coders Tribe held a two-day virtual coding event on December 6 and 7, led by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Provincial Board chairman for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Board Member Ryan Gamboa, Coders Tribe Founder Lanie Lumaguip and NOLITC Vocational School Administrator Ma. Cristina Orbecido.
Lascon, in his message, lauded the initiative of NOLITC and Coders Tribe for making the Hour of Code happen in the province.
“It has become imperative for us to keep up with this context of learning as computers have already intervened (with) almost every sphere of our lives, and has a great potential to transform (it),” he added.
The governor also underscored digital and education divide in the country, which he hopes to be bridged through Hour of Code.
The virtual event gathered a total of 1,464 participants from all over the province, including 1,338 students and 117 teachers.
Of the participating schools, La Castellana National High School was awarded Best Performing School with the highest number of participants, followed by Julio Ledesma National High School in San Carlos City, and Gil Montilla National High School in Sipalay City.
Lumaguip said the Hour of Code event in the province is the first government-led initiative in the country and also the first time that Negros Occidental joined the Hour of Code international event.
On the first day of the virtual event, participants were taught to write their first computer program. Subsequently, created digital designs using their newfound coding and programming skills.
These activities were facilitated by Lumaguip and Coders Tribe co-founder Kim Mentino.
The awarding rites was held on the last day of the virtual event.
Aside from the best performing schools awards, Denmark Mandalupa of Julio Ledesma National High School was recognized as the teacher with the most number of participants for the event.
Francis II Mapa, a Grade 11 student from Negros Occidental High School, was awarded as the Best Coding Artist, and Andrea Lopez, a Grade 12 student of the same school, was awarded for Best Coding Design.
Orbecido, for her part, announced NOLITC will be organizing another virtual coding education event in 2022 to accommodate the growing need for information and communications technology (ICT) education in the province. (PR)