Washington – President Barack Obama announced on Saturday that he will request billions to the Congress, which would be dedicated to impulse the learning of computer science and math classes among American students. The Computer Science Teachers Association said that just one-tenth of high schools are currently offering computer science courses.

President Obama said that computer science should not be an optional skill in the new emerging economy, which is requesting everyday more and more internet service and products. He added that it is a basic skill that has the same value as reading, writing and arithmetic. According to statistics, from every 10 parents, nine want computer science education to be taught at their children’s school, said the president.

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In the U.S. approximately a quarter of K-12 schools offer a computer science program. That being said, 22 states don’t allow it to count toward a diploma, said Obama on Saturday morning during his weekly address. Credit: acclaimimages.com

The U.S. president added that everyday more mechanical tasks are requiring the usage of computer programs that are developed with coding skills. For instance, auto mechanics are working on machines to change the oil of vehicles, and nurses are analyzing data provided by complex electronic health systems that are connected to patients.

Administration officials said that Mr. Obama is planning to send a budget proposal for 2017 to Congress. It will include $4 billion for grants and $100 million for school districts in order to impulse the teaching of computer science in elementary, middle and high schools.

The National Science Foundation and the Corporation for National and Community Service will also be proponents of computer science education, and will spend $135 million during five years in order to train teachers.

Obama also announced that he will communicate with governors, tech investors, business leaders, and companies to encourage and support computer science education. Microsoft president Brad Smith said to the Huffington Post on Saturday that he thought the initiative was an economic and social imperative.

President Obama is not the only supporter who wants computer science courses to all kids, “especially girls and minorities”. Early January an user wrote to the Facebook CEO “I keep telling my grand daughters to Date the nerd in school, he may turn out to be a Mark Zuckerberg!” As a response, the young entrepreneur wrote in a keen way: “Even better would be to encourage them to be the nerd in their school so they can be the next successful inventor!”

Source: Huffington Post