Meet Iqram Lawal, A 13-year-old Who Refuses To Give Up Coding Despite The High Cost Of The Internet And Online Courses
Meet Iqram Lawal, a 13-year-old Coder
Thirteen-year-old Iqram Babs Lawal demonstrates that inquisitiveness does not always slay the cat. Or, as is clearly the case here, the girl. Born with an inquisitive mind, she was fascinated by mobile and web apps and was curious about how they worked.
The concept of exposing children to technology skills in primary and secondary schools in Nigeria is still relatively new. Coding, programming languages, and web and mobile applications are gaining popularity as a result of technological initiatives such as Teens Can Code and The StemBelle.
Google was the first resource Iqram sought when he asked, "How do I create a mobile application?" There were numerous options, and “it took some time before I discovered Appy Pie, which I used to initially learn how to build mobile apps,” Iqram explained in an interview granted by her guardians.
Nonetheless, it did not expose Iqram to coding, and she continued her search until she discovered Khan Academy. “I loved the interface because it was so colorful,” she explained. Even a two-year-old would enjoy exploring the site.”
The Junior Secondary (JSS) 3 student, who is now an expert at coding, has chosen machine learning as her preferred career path.
Uneasy lies the hand that wants to code
Coding is not an easy endeavor, and it presents a unique set of challenges to a serious schoolgirl. Balancing coding with the constant presence of schoolwork, obtaining funding for data to enroll in online courses, and actually understanding the courses being taught are just some of the difficulties Iqram faces.
However, she is surrounded by excellent support systems. Among them are her parents and brother, who have both encouraged and supported her development.
“My priorities are in order,” she asserts. And, according to that hierarchy of priorities, Mondays through Fridays are reserved for academic work, while weekends are reserved for programming. On weekends, when she still has schoolwork to complete, her coding takes a back seat.
Similarly to what young people venturing into technology face, Iqram is constantly challenged by the cost of resources when it comes to learning tech skills. As a student, she is reliant on her parents, who bear the cost of internet and equipment.
“I save as much as I can and apply for giveaways whenever possible to alleviate some of the financial strain,” she says.
When young tech enthusiasts attend meetups, they frequently write code on paper because they lack a laptop, are unable to install software on their existing laptops, or lack adequate internet access. Individuals who are persistent enough find a way to run the codes on their friends' laptops and continue their education.
The high cost of data imposes an additional financial burden on children and their guardians. Because internet access is a perpetual requirement, it is a cost that will always recur.
The majority of online coding tutors are not designed for students like her, and it can take some time to grasp what the teacher is trying to convey. When the tutor is a foreigner, accents, speaking speed, and the teacher's choice of words can occasionally disadvantage the adolescent student.
While these challenges demonstrate the extent to which young technologists are willing to go, making resources such as laptops, high-speed internet, and quality training available in schools will aid in their development.
Iqram is also a firm believer that including field trips and visits to technology companies among a school's activities will expose more young people to technology earlier. “While not everyone needs to code, going on excursions to tech companies will help us understand what happens in the industry and how the things we see are built,” Iqram added.
Despite the obstacles, being one more woman in technology inspires and motivates Iqram. Her hope is that, in the future, she will also be instrumental in assisting young people interested in technology in establishing a foothold in the field.
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