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The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
Should coding be mandatory learning in schools? Benefits, challenges, and the road ahead
In a world increasingly driven by technology, the question of whether coding should be a mandatory subject in schools has gained prominence. As smart phones become an extension of our hands and AI tools begin to shape how we live and learn, the ability to understand and create with code is becoming more than a technical skill—it's a new form of literacy. This article explores the reasons behind the growing demand for coding in education, the challenges of implementing it, and whether it should truly be made mandatory for all students in Indian schools. What is code? Why is it important? At its core, coding is the process of writing instructions for computers to perform specific tasks. From the apps we use every day to self-driving cars and medical robots, coding is the language behind the machines. Learning to code isn't just about becoming a software engineer. It teaches logical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and precision and structure. In essence, coding is a skill that enhances 21st-century learning, much like reading and writing did for earlier generations. Shift to teaching coding world Countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Estonia, and Singapore have already integrated coding into school curricula. In the U.K., children start learning programming as early as age five. Estonia, often referred to as the 'Silicon Valley of Europe,' introduced coding in primary schools back in 2012. These moves are not just about creating more software engineers, but about preparing young citizens for a digital-first future. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marked a significant shift in Indian education. One of its key highlights was the introduction of coding from Class 6 onwards. The idea is to nurture computational thinking and expose students to digital tools early. Many CBSE-affiliated schools and private institutions have already started offering basic coding and robotics classes. Online platforms such as WhiteHat Jr, Coding Ninjas, and have capitalized on this trend. A case for making it mandatory We are heading into a world dominated by automation, Artificial Intelligence, and Data Science. Coding is the backbone of all these technologies. Equipping students with this skill early can help India build a future-ready workforce. Coding is not just technical. It's creative. Students learn how to break down big problems into smaller steps—a skill useful in any profession. Even today, the IT industry is one of India's biggest employers. As industries go digital, coding will become essential in finance, healthcare, agriculture, education, and even art. When taught in government schools, coding can empower rural students to access global knowledge, participate in innovation, and break the cycle of poverty. Coding communities are active and supportive. Platforms like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and online courses allow students to learn beyond textbooks. Arguments against Just as not everyone becomes a mathematician despite learning math, not every child will be interested in coding. Forcing it on every student may lead to resistance and disinterest. India has a shortage of trained Computer Science teachers, especially in rural areas. Implementing mandatory coding without proper training can lead to ineffective teaching. Many government schools lack computers, reliable electricity, or internet. Mandating coding without addressing these basic needs will only widen the education gap. With already packed curriculums, adding another compulsory subject could increase the academic burden, especially if it is tested through exams. First, digital literacy, then as core elective Before coding, students must learn basic computer usage, internet safety, and digital ethics. Jumping straight to Python or Java without digital literacy is like teaching literature before learning the alphabet. Instead of making coding mandatory for all, it can be introduced as a core elective. Give students the choice to opt for it early on. Make it mandatory only for those who choose Science or tech-related streams in higher classes. Introduce block-based coding (Scratch) in primary school and text-based coding (Python, C) in high way, we respect individual interests while still preparing a large popu- lation for tech-driven careers. 'Coding should be taught like mathematics—logical thinking first, language second,' says Dr. Ruchi Sharma, a computer science educator in Delhi. 'We need to teach kids to think like coders before we teach them to code,' says Prof. Debarghya Das, a Cornell Computer Science graduate and Google engineer. Impact of coding education Tanmay Bakshi, an Indian-origin coder in Canada, started coding at age 5 and is now an AI expert at age 18. In India, Atal Tinkering Labs funded by NITI Aayog are helping school students build apps and hardware products through hands-on coding experience. It's a misconception that coding is only for those interested in computers. Even in fields like music, medicine, fashion, and agriculture, digital solutions are transforming workflows. Think about doctors using machine learning for diagnosis. Musicians using code to generate beats. Farmers using sensors and coded apps to monitor soil health. Learning to code is like learning a tool that can amplify whatever passion a student already has. Call for smart implementation The question isn't whether coding is important—it clearly is. The real question is how and when we should teach it. Making coding mandatory too early, without preparation, risks alienating students and failing in execution. But delaying or ignoring it will leave the next generation unprepared for a digital economy. The answer lies in balanced reform. Invest in teacher training and infrastructure. Start with basic digital literacy. Gradually integrate problem-solving and logical thinking. Introduce coding as a flexible, project-based subject, not just textbook learning As India's digital economy grows, we must prepare our students to not just use technology—but create it. (Mohsin Iqbal is a student of (Hons) Computer Science at Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi.)
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
WhiteHat Jr founder Karan Bajaj returns with new venture: A look at his education, career, new startup and more
WhiteHat Jr founder, Karan Bajaj, is back in the spotlight with his latest startup, Complement1, a healthcare platform focused on improving cancer care through personalised lifestyle coaching. This marks a major shift in his career from the tech-education sector to the healthcare industry. Let's take a closer look at Karan Bajaj's education, career journey, and his inspiring new venture. Karan Bajaj's New Startup Complement1: A Fresh Chapter in Healthcare After stepping away from his role at WhiteHat Jr, Karan Bajaj has now launched Complement1, a cancer care startup based in the United States. The company recently raised $16 million in seed funding, led by Owl Ventures and Blume Ventures, along with support from other undisclosed investors. Complement1 is designed to offer tech-enabled, evidence-backed, and personalised coaching for cancer patients and individuals at high risk. The goal is to help them adopt and maintain lifestyle changes—like improved nutrition, physical activity, and mind-body practices—guided by dedicated CoActive Coaches. According to Bajaj, "Lifestyle change is one of the most powerful, yet often overlooked tools in cancer care." His vision is to make clinically recommended routines part of daily life for patients, improving both their health outcomes and overall well-being. Complement1's Promise: Technology Meets Compassion in Cancer Support The platform uses scientific research from multiple global studies and meta-analyses. According to the company: Patients using Complement1 experienced 37% fewer side effects, 18% less pain, and 27% better sleep. Over 90% of users stick to the routine, a rare achievement in lifestyle-based healthcare. The platform also aims to cut cancer-related healthcare costs by up to 30%, making it a valuable addition for insurance companies, employers, and care providers. In a world where nearly 1 in 2 Americans may face cancer in their lifetime, Complement1 offers hope through education, coaching, and behavioural changes. Karan Bajaj: From Tech-Education to Holistic Health Early Life and Education Karan Bajaj was born in India and raised in a family with a military background. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM,), Bangalore—one of India's top business schools. Professional Journey Before becoming the WhiteHat Jr founder, Bajaj worked with some of the world's leading companies, like: Procter & Gamble The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Kraft Foods He later moved into the media sector, becoming CEO of Discovery Networks in 2016. In that role, he headed Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, and Discovery Kids in South Asia until 2019. The WhiteHat Jr Success Story In 2018, Karan Bajaj founded WhiteHat Jr, an online learning platform that focused on teaching coding and maths to children. The startup quickly gained popularity and was acquired by BYJU'S in 2020 for a whopping $300 million. Post-acquisition, Bajaj led BYJU'S International Division, launching educational programmes for students in the US, Brazil, and Mexico. Under his leadership, Byju's FutureSchool introduced a wide variety of courses, including music, English, fine arts, and science. He left BYJU'S in August 2021. A Talented Author with a Passion for Spiritual Exploration Apart from being a successful entrepreneur, Karan Bajaj is also a published author. His novels blend elements of spirituality, adventure, and self-discovery. Notable Books by Karan Bajaj: Keep Off The Grass (2008): A psychedelic journey of a Yale graduate exploring India. Johnny Gone Down (2010): A gripping thriller about a man's transformation through bizarre life events. The Seeker (2015): A tale of a Wall Street banker who leaves everything to become a yogi in the Himalayas. The Yoga of Max's Discontent: Reviewed by the Chicago Tribune and other notable publications. Bajaj's books have been shortlisted for awards like the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award and Indiaplaza Golden Quill. Karan Bajaj's wife and kids Karan is married to Kerry Bajaj, who is a child sleep expert. The couple have two daughters What's Next for Karan Bajaj? With Complement1, the WhiteHat Jr founder has taken a bold step into the world of healthcare and lifestyle coaching. His journey from engineering to entrepreneurship, from education to holistic cancer care, reflects his versatility and vision. By combining technology, clinical research, and personal coaching, Karan Bajaj aims to transform cancer care, making his new startup Complement1 one to watch. Karan Bajaj's inspiring story showcases how one individual can impact multiple industries—from education and tech to healthcare and wellness. With Complement1, he is not only returning to entrepreneurship but also making a meaningful difference in people's lives. As the WhiteHat Jr founder embarks on this new path, all eyes are on how Complement1 will grow and revolutionise cancer care across the globe. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here.
India Gazette
18-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Aakash Institute among
Dubai [UAE], May 18 (ANI): BYJU'S founder, Byju Raveendran has described the acquisition of Aakash Institute as one of his 'best acquisitions' and admitted that acquiring WhiteHat Jr was a 'business mistake.' 'It's one of our best acquisitions now. At that point in time, that was 5 per cent of the valuation of Think and Learn. And we thought that there is a huge opportunity to what was available only to a few students in big metros, making the same kind of options available to small towns. So we, after the acquisition, actually took Akash (Institute) to small towns. What was reaching out to only a few parts of India? the same programme, we made it available to 300-plus senders within 18 months of taking over. It was actually one of our best acquisitions,' Raveendran said in an interview with ANI. Edtech BYJU's in April 2021 acquired Aakash Educational Services Ltd (AESL) for nearly USD 950 million. The deal was a cash-and-stock deal, and the acquisition was one of the largest in the Indian startup ecosystem. The deal involved a 70 per cent cash component and a 30 per cent equity component. 'Today, all this narrative around acquisitions - like we made mistakes - like when you make six big acquisitions, four of them are doing well but everyone talks about the two, and that's how it works, right?' Raveendran further said. Talking about the acquisition of WhiteHat Jr, an online coding and coding-related skills platform for children, Raveendran admitted that it was a 'business mistake', although the concept was unique. '....those are all business mistakes. now I am like today; even though that came through an acquisition, the concept of WhiteHat Jr, what would have really changed is teachers in India teaching students anywhere in the world who wanted to learn math from Indian teachers. Like, that's a huge opportunity lost,' he said. Founder of one of the most valuable edtech companies in the country, with about USD 22 billion valuation in 2022, also acknowledged that the company made 'some business mistakes' when it expanded 'too fast' to 21 countries due to the 'mandate' from the world-class investors. Raveendran revealed that the decision, made collectively with board members including investor and founder directors, was not driven by desperation, as the company had raised USD 5 billion earlier. The Bengaluru-based edtech company is facing financial problems, regulatory issues, and legal battles. Think & Learn Pvt Ltd (TLPL), the Byju's parent company, has been admitted into insolvency proceedings. (ANI)
Mint
14-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Karan Bajaj raises funds for a new healthtech venture, years after $300 mn WhiteHat Jr exit
Four years after selling WhiteHat Jr to Byju's in a high-profile deal worth $300 million, founder Karan Bajaj has raised $16 million in seed funding for his new healthtech startup, Complement 1. The round was led by Blume Ventures and Owl Ventures, with participation from several angel investors, according to a statement by the company on Wednesday. According to Bajaj, the platform seeks to address a gap in cancer care by helping patients adopt clinically recommended lifestyle changes. 'Every oncologist will tell you patients need more support incorporating physical activity, nutrition and mind-body practices," said Bajaj, who serves as chief executive officer and co-founder. 'We've focused on daily engagement through personalized coaching to support lasting improvements during and after treatment." Targeting cancer care With the new funding, Complement 1 plans to expand its coaching operations in the U.S., strengthen its AI engine, and partner with cancer centres, healthcare insurance providers, and employers. The company also intends to invest in enhancing the digital experience for both patients and coaches. Also Read: K Balakrishnan's Kriscore Capital raises ₹50 crore in commitments for new micro-VC fund, targets early-stage startups Founded in January 2024, Complement 1 offers a personalized lifestyle modification platform aimed at cancer patients, high-risk individuals, and survivors. The programme includes physical activity, nutrition, and somatic practices tailored to cancer type and stage, delivered via 1:1 'CoActive" coaching. The company also uses AI to drive personalization and support long-term adherence to the programme, it said. This is Bajaj's first startup since his exit from WhiteHat Jr in August 2021. The founder exited from edtech when the sector was at its peak, commanding high valuations and massive investor interest. Byju's acquired the firm among a number of other acquisitions it made to speed up growth. However, Byju's struggles began after a sudden fall in demand post-pandemic. Whitehat Jr. was among the first of its acquisitions to sour. In a recent media interaction, Byju Raveendran shared that the 'most encouragement for an acquisition" he received was for Whitehat Jr from its investors. Byju's investors and its founders have been at odds for over three years, even as the entity, once valued at $22 billion, filed for bankruptcy last year. Following the sale, Bajaj took a sabbatical that included travelling through Costa Rica and writing The Freedom Manifesto, a book published by HarperCollins India. '(I) caught up on the missed time with my daughters from the CEO & startup founding years as they attended a forest school in the Costa Rica mountains," said Bajaj, in a post on his LinkedIn profile. Also Read: Code junkies make way for AI pros as skills landscape shifts To be sure, this was not Bajaj's first retreat to the mountains. Back in 2012, he had also spent time in the Himalayas studying meditation and later authored The Seeker, a novel based on those experiences. Later in 2019, he founded Mumbai-based WhiteHat Jr, which he sold two years later to Byju's. Now, Complement 1 is being built out of the US. The shift from edtech to healthtech Bajaj's return marks a shift from edtech to healthtech, with the startup aiming to integrate lifestyle medicine into the broader oncology ecosystem. 'Complement 1 is creating a new model to improve global cancer outcomes. We were drawn to the combination of personalized technology and human-led coaching," said Amit Patel, managing director at Owl Ventures. Also Read: Another Indian fintech unicorn taps bankers for a $400-million IPO In India, too, investors as well as conglomerates such as the Reliance Group and Tata Group are jumping on the opportunity to invest in technology-driven detection and treatment of cancer as the incidence of the disease rises every year.
