DepEd, iamtheCODE ink pact to open more opportunities for Filipino women

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) and iamtheCODE inked a partnership on Thursday to open more opportunities for young Filipina women in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Design (STEAMD).

The partnership will provide free coding and digital courses skills for high school students in selected schools across the country.

This is in line with iamtheCODE’s vision to advance STEAMD education and invest in technology to foster sustainable future for women and girls in marginalized communities. The organization is the first African-led global movement that aims to create one million female coders by 2030.

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“We are helping people around the world. Not just it’s African-led, but I think that our knowledge and our expertise can also serve the Filipino community here,” said by iamtheCODE founder Lady Mariéme Jamme in a statement.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, who personally signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the initiative, said that the iamtheCODE’s programs provide young girls a chance to have a better life.

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“The presence of Lady M here only underscores our shared interest to sign up even more Filipino young women and girls to iamtheCODE’s programs, and give more of them a fighting chance at a better life for themselves and their loved ones,” said Secretary Angara.

Further, iamtheCODE will conduct benchmarking exercises to ensure the program is best suited for the needs of the learners in a local context. In addition, the organization will extend to selected DepEd schools programs such as STEAMD workshops, apprenticeship programs, and open-source online courses during a 12-week blended curriculum.

It is planned to be launched from Grade 7 to junior high school in voluntary schools.