SWE-102Foundation

Software development

Python Programming Foundations

Learn programming through small, useful tools that run on modest computers and continue working without internet access.

Part of these pathways

Next delivery

5 October 2026 – 30 October 2026

Teaching days: Monday–Thursday
Time: 13:30–16:30
Mode: Hybrid / Remote
Enrolment: Open for enrolment

What you will be able to do

Clear outcomes. Practical evidence.

Write and run Python programs
Use variables, conditions, loops and functions
Validate user input and handle errors
Build a tested command-line project

Course structure

Modules and lessons

Python setup and first programs

Explain and apply interpreter, source file, print, comments, tracebacks to a tested, privacy-safe solution.

Python setup and first programs60 min

Variables, input, decisions and validation

Explain and apply str, int, float, Decimal, input, if/elif/else, validation loop to a tested, privacy-safe solution.

Variables, input, decisions and validation60 min

Loops and functions

Explain and apply for, while, range, parameters, return, scope to a tested, privacy-safe solution.

Loops and functions60 min

Lists, tuples, sets and dictionaries

Explain and apply sequence, mutability, membership, key-value lookup, iteration to a tested, privacy-safe solution.

Lists, tuples, sets and dictionaries60 min

Strings, files and paths

Explain and apply slicing, split/join, pathlib, text and CSV files, encoding to a tested, privacy-safe solution.

Strings, files and paths60 min

Exceptions, modules and testing

Explain and apply try/except/else/finally, imports, __name__, assertions, unittest to a tested, privacy-safe solution.

Exceptions, modules and testing60 min

Program design, Git and review

Explain and apply decomposition, pseudocode, acceptance criteria, commits, README, review to a tested, privacy-safe solution.

Program design, Git and review60 min

Capstone local calculator or tracker

Explain and apply requirements, implementation, testing, documentation, demonstration to a tested, privacy-safe solution.

Capstone local calculator or tracker60 min

Access and progression

Know what the course requires.

The required capability matters; the learner does not have to personally own every device.

Who it is for

Aspiring developers, technical learners, career changers and practitioners seeking applied computing skills.

Hardware access

Personal 64-bit computer with 4 GB RAM and 20 GB free, or use the required device and software at a readiness-approved THNF centre.

Software and practical access

Course software is available through the text-first pack, an approved offline installer or a readiness-approved THNF centre.

Possible progression

Junior development, data, web, application-support or technical-project progression appropriate to the completed portfolio.

Progression is not a guarantee of employment or external certification.

Sierra Leone context

Mobile-first, low-data solutions for Sierra Leonean schools, traders, transport, agriculture, NGOs and SMEs using synthetic local names, districts and NLe values.

Skills in context

Career directions and next steps

These are realistic directions that the skills can support—not promises of employment, job titles or external certification.

Junior software developer
Application-support assistant
Software-testing assistant
Junior data assistant
Database-support assistant
Reporting and information assistant

Possible progression pathways

Programming and software engineering · Data and databases