January 28, 2026
Code kids vs the comments
Australian high schoolers build coding platform to help learners in Sri Lanka
Teens launch offline coding app for Sri Lankan kids — comments yell “why not Python?”
TLDR: Two Aussie teens launched Thadus, NB: an offline app to teach coding in rural Sri Lanka, backed NB by a major charity and free for nonprofits. The thread exploded over “why not Python,” jokes about a “gibberish” screenshot, and whether data science for beginners is smart or too ambitious—digital divide vs purist debate
Two 17-year-olds built “Thadus,” an offline coding app aimed at kids in rural Sri Lanka, and the internet instantly split into Team Aww and Team Actually. Fans love the mission: a tool that works without steady internet, three beginner-friendly courses, and a partnership to roll it out across 22 village labs. But the top comment? A classic: “why not Python?”—the wildly popular language everyone already knows Python.
One user squinted at a promo screenshot and joked, “What’s with the gibberish code?”—cue a mini-roast about whether the teens’ homegrown language is a flex or just confusing. Supporters clapped back that building a custom language and offline app is the point: fewer downloads, fewer updates, more learning where connections are patchy. Skeptics worry newbies may get stuck learning a niche tool instead of a global standard, while others like vintagedave admitted it “does sound intrig…”—translation: critics are curious.
Meanwhile, the founders say it’s free for charities, and the third course covers data science—timely, given the AI boom. That sparked another debate: is “data science for beginners” genius or ambitious? Either way, with a respected philanthropist backing the rollout and kids lining up at dusty labs, the vibe is heartwarming project meets comment-section trial by fire. Popcorn, anyone
Key Points
- •Two Australian 17-year-olds developed Thadus, an offline app that teaches beginner coding through three courses, including data science.
- •Neth Dharmasiri previously built his own basic programming language and drew inspiration from a rural Sri Lankan computer lab visit.
- •Thadus is designed for areas with patchy internet and was released to market by 2026.
- •Philanthropist Kushil Gunasekera will help distribute Thadus through 22 Foundation of Goodness computer labs across rural Sri Lanka.
- •Thadus CodeLabs is a for-profit venture, but the app is free for not-for-profits; experts highlight digital access gaps affecting students in Australia and Sri Lanka.