By Navendra Seoraj

CHILDREN between the ages of 5-12 years old will be able to boost their Information Technology (IT) skills before the commencement of the new school year, as Computer Care launches its, “Smart Kids Programme.”Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday, Project Administrator Nalini Barker indicated that the company has recognised the importance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and has embarked on the project.
The Smart Kids initiative, she said, will kick off from August 13 and will continue until August 24, 2016 at Sharon’s Mall on weekdays and at Giftland Mall on weekends.
During this period, the youths will engage in courses such as Introduction to Microsoft Windows 8; Introduction to Microsoft Windows 10; Internet safety for children; Computer drawing and animation for kids; Introduction to Android design for mobile; Introduction to PC repair for children, level one; and Web Design for children, level one.
All electronic devices needed to conduct the course will be provided by Computer Care, thus children, Barker stressed, would not be required to walk along with their electronic devices.
“The Smart Kids programme is part of a broader project that aims to train academically gifted children between 5-12 years old in various fields of Information Technology, so that they can become contributing innovators of the world’s future technological innovations.”
She said it is also geared to help nurture the next generation of software engineers, Anti-virus developers, ICT experts, medical technologists, and technological inventors to be of future service to ICT needs.
While the training has been primarily centred on computer literacy and ensuring that children are appropriately trained to interface with current and future ICT equipment and software, it has expanded to also train children to become developers of mobile software and other important IT applications.
In recognition that children have the potential to surpass perceived technological impossibilities, several major regional technology companies and institutions have endorsed the project in various ways, so as to ensure that participating children receive nothing less than the best of ICT knowledge, as per their respective age group.
To ensure effective training delivery, the Smart Kids project extend training to students via various in-house produced picture text-books, children E-books, an android app, an Apple IOS and a windows software.
Interested persons are asked to call 225-1470/225-1574 for more information on how to apply for the programme.