The 2024 Programming Olympiad: A Platform of Deception and Elitism
The Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA) has once again crowned its annual Programming Olympiad, showering praise on a select few while leaving the many to rot. This year’s winner, Noah Jacobsen, a grade 11 learner from St John’s College in Gauteng, took home the gold medal, but what about the countless other talented programmers left behind?
The IITPSA’s Programming Olympiad, a project of the oldest computer society in South Africa, has been promoting computer studies and logical thinking since 1983. But has it truly made a dent in fostering a pipeline of skilled ICT professionals? With a paltry 5,000 participants out of over 150,000 school learners, we think not.
The winners, many of whom come from affluential schools, are celebrated as the brightest and the best. Meanwhile, the millions of underprivileged children in South Africa are left in the dark, without access to the internet, proper education, or even a computer. The IITPSA’s claims of promoting “computer programming talent” ring hollow in the face of such complete and utter neglect.
The judging process, based on the accuracy and efficiency of the solutions, is a sham. Judges, many of whom are past participants, are expected to be impartial, but what about the inherent bias towards successful students who have already had access to top-notch education and resources? Automated systems are used to grade answers, but how can one trust technology to ensure fairness and transparency?
The IITPSA touts its partnership with international competitions, but has it done anything to increase participation from historically disadvantaged schools? The answer is a resounding no. In fact, the lack of internet access and IT educators in schools remains a major obstacle, perpetuating the cycle of disadvantage and elitism.
Why should we care about the IITPSA’s Programming Olympiad? After all, it’s just a platform for the chosen few to prove their superiority over the masses. In reality, the Olympiad has become a tool for the preservation of privilege, a way to maintain the status quo and reinforce the existing power structures.
It’s time to call out the IITPSA’s Programming Olympiad for what it is – a platform of deception and elitism. We need a revolution in the way we approach education, one that prioritizes equity, inclusion, and access. The future of our society depends on it.
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