AMMAN: Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan on Tuesday signed a JD 572,000 agreement with CEO of the Crown Prince Foundation (CPF) Tamam Mango to finance the school programming "42 Irbid." This initiative aims to expand access to computer programming education in the region. According to Jordan News Agency, 42 is a free computer programming school operating under CPF's pathway to economic participation. The first part of the program was established in Amman, targeting the training of Jordan's next generation of coders and problem-solvers, as mentioned in a statement on Tuesday. The program is part of the global network of "Ecole 42," which was established in Paris in 2013 and has since expanded to over 54 locations across 31 countries. The innovative education model of "42" is built on a gamified coding approach with no teachers, classrooms, or lectures, targeting talents over the age of 18 regardless of gender, background, education, or origin. During the signing, Toukan emphasiz ed that the agreement aligns with ongoing government efforts to support young Jordanians in acquiring the skills needed for the job market. She highlighted the importance of creating successful partnerships with national entities to deliver unique opportunities for young people across the Kingdom. Toukan further indicated that the Ministry's financing of this project is part of its ongoing support for various local and community development initiatives. This aligns with priorities under the Executive Program for the Economic Modernization Vision (2023-2025), which targets the development of the ICT sector within the Smart Jordan and Future Services drivers. Mango expressed her gratitude to the Ministry for supporting "42 Irbid," following previous support for "42 Amman." She noted that the program's expansion responds to the growing demand, as "42 Amman" received over 10,000 applications from across the Kingdom. Mango further stated that CPF partners with organizations to achieve shared goals and deliver ma ximum impact in all of Jordan's governorates. She added that this program is essential in bridging the gap between technological advancements and the evolving job market. In 2023, the ministry signed a JD 445,000 financing agreement to support "42 Amman." The program is connected to international curricula with lifetime, worldwide updates. The program structure allows students to learn coding and apply their knowledge practically, collaborating with peers across 42 campuses globally. "42 Irbid" will operate in the same manner and join the global 42 network.
