Primary school pupils to learn programming language Python in E. China

Educational authorities have added advanced programming language Python to the latest textbooks for sixth grade pupils in Shandong Province, reports thepaper.cn.

A primary school student codes computer programs for his robot during the 2015 Robo Cup in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province on April 24, 2015. [File Photo: VCG]

Ranked as the most popular programming language for artificial intelligence (AI) in 2017 on rank.com, Python is now being used for general-purpose programming by an increasing number of programmers worldwide.

Chinese educators have begun to teach their students Python from a younger age.

Apart from the move by authorities in Shangdong, it is reported that high school freshmen in Zhejiang Province have been taught Python since September 2017.

However, some are questioning whether children will be capable of understanding the subject at such a young age.

Responding to the concerns, Chen Fei, an associate researcher at Shenzhen University, said that Python courses at the primary school level can help to stimulate students' interest in programming.

"Python is suitable for students above the fifth grade who have mastered basic math operations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. The Python lessons will help students find computers interesting, thus arouse their curiosities," said Chen.

Screenshot of Python's website. [Screenshot: python.org]

Teaching young children how to program is no longer a new phenomenon in the world. In the U.S., people can even find relevant textbooks for toddlers.

On October 11, 2017, Chinese educational authorities announced that Python will be included in the country's National Computer Rank Examination (NCRE) Grade 2 beginning March 2018.