Many learners can code these days. Some teach themselves; some take MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses); but most take IT as a subject – and now all of them will be able to measure their programming skills against other learners in the South African Programming Olympiad.
The First Round of the Programming Olympiad will be open for participation from Monday 1 August to Friday 5 August. Participants can take part for an hour at any time during that week.
Leaners may use any language allowed by the school including languages such as Scratch and Alice. These are introductory languages for Grade 10, but are also popular among Primary School leaners.
At least half the participants nationwide will receive certificates to recognise their achievements. Certificates will be awarded at three grade levels:
* Grade 10 and below;
* Grade 11; and
* Grade 12 and above.
In each age group certificates will be awarded as follows:
* Gold: the top 7% of participants nationwide;
* Silver: the next 14%; and
* Bronze: the next 29%.
Learners register through their schools. Schools have a choice Online or Offline.
Peter Waker, manager of the South African Computer Olympiad Trust explains: “Some of the younger participants have problems using the computer to write programs and at the same time using the screen to read the question. These schools may therefore enter for both offline and online so that learners can have a printed question paper to work from.”
The questions are available in English and Afrikaans.
Schools can enter online at http://www.olympiad.org.za/register-programming-olympiad/ or request an entry form by calling 021-448-7864. Participation in the Programming Olympiad is free.
For further information go to www.olympiad.org.za or contact info@olympiad.org.za or contact 021-448-7864.
