I learned how to code in high school.  On punch cards.  In 1977.  It was fun.  It led me to study computer science at university, which I did not pursue after university.  I agree with Maggie.  Coding is not necessary for kids.  Especially with today's advanced programming tools. 

My son completed engineering at a top Ivy League school.  He could have chosen to code a lot.  It did not appeal to him.  He now has a career in STEM where he does not code at all.  It is not a basic building block of a modern education.