By 2020, there will be 1,000,000 more computer science jobs than students. However, 9 out of 10 schools don't even offer computer programming classes. Let's fix that.

Computer programming is the new literacy. It is a vital skill for the digital age. Yet the Newfoundland and Labrador education curriculum is not keeping pace.

Right now, high schools in Newfoundland and Labrador offer Webmaster, which is a basic introduction to HTML. The course is often considered an "easy" elective, and is taken by students who are looking for a high grade with minimal effort.

Other provinces, such as Ontario, offer education in computer programming as early as grade 10. England offers computer coding courses to students aged five and over. If Newfoundland and Labrador wants its economy to keep up with other regions, it needs to step up and offer better education in computer programming.

If you feel that computer programming is an important skill for the next generation, please reach out to your MHA, or Minister of Education Clyde Jackman. Given that education is under provincial jurisdiction, the campaign is initially focused on Newfoundland and Labrador. However, the campaign could easily be adopted in other provinces, and help bring Canada to the forefront of computer programming education.

Update (April 6th, 2014): The petition was featured in The Muse, Memorial University of Newfoundland's student newspaper. http://themuse.ca/2014/04/06/petition-aims-to-bring-computer-science-courses-to-high-schools/

Update (April 10th, 2014): The petition was featured in Maclean's. http://www.macleans.ca/education/high-school/newfoundlander-petitions-for-more-coding-in-high-schools/