A teenager from Ilford beat hundreds of other young programming enthusiasts from around the world to win a coding competition which was organised by leading online learning institution The British Youth International College (BYITC).
GhaniRahan Sriramula, 14, from Ilford and attends Oaks Park High School, was crowned the champion of Python Code Challenge 2025. The competition, organised to celebrate the python anniversary, tested participants’ problem-solving skills and Python programming knowledge in an engaging and interactive environment.
The featured exciting discussions on Python facts, interactive warm-up games, and a high-intensity 30-minute coding challenge. Some participants showcased remarkable proficiency by completing the challenge in just 15 minutes. The event was conducted seamlessly, ensuring uninterrupted participation and valuable technical engagement.
GhaniRahan displayed exceptional coding skills and problem-solving abilities, demonstrating a deep understanding of Python programming. His outstanding performance distinguished him among a competitive pool of participants, earning him the title of champion.
He said: “I had so much fun learning Python at BYITC! The classes were really exciting, and my teacher made everything super easy to understand. I loved the cool projects and how they explained things step by step. Now, I can write my own programs, and I feel super confident in coding!”
Dr Rashmi Mantri, founder at BYITC, said: “The event received overwhelming positive feedback from participants and their families. Young coders were thrilled to compete, challenge their skills, and embrace a fun and educational experience.
“This global event fostered a spirit of learning and friendly competition amongst participants who gained valuable insights and hands-on coding experience. The challenge successfully assessed and enhanced students’ Python programming skills which are very important and certain to have a major impact on the future of coding.
“BYITC is playing a significant role in creating awareness and introducing more and more kids to STEM by organising regular chains of coding and Python webinars and encouraging participation from across the globe.
“As far as I’m aware there are no other Python specific competitions like this in the UK. The number of participants doubled this year compared to the previous year which is very encouraging and shows the importance of competition in learning.
“BYITC remains committed to encouraging young minds to develop their coding abilities and explore the world of programming. With the continued success of the Python Code Challenge, BYITC looks forward to hosting more engaging and educational events in the future.”
Ghanshyam’s proud parents said: “The structured curriculum, engaging lessons, and hands-on projects have significantly enhanced my child’s coding skills and problem-solving abilities. A special thanks to the Python instructor, Priya, for her patience and dedication in teaching.”
Dr Mantri founded BYITC after using an abacus to teach her son, Dhruv, basic arithmetic. The college went on to develop what it describes as the world’s first games-based abacus maths application. Its brightly coloured graphics and characters are inspired by digital games and designed to engage children in the learning process.
BYITC has since launched more than 20 games-based courses designed to help make maths fun. These include Penguin Party Maths – a fun game for building maths skill; Number Nitro – to help children learn addition and subtraction through play – and Fish Frenzy Maths – a fun and effective way to practice arithmetic times tables.
