Pointless, I think. They'll only be able to make the most basic of software. Existing programmers complain about bad code and naive solutions already. This will only compound the issue.
I'm not sure if programming teaches critical thinking, reading and writing any better than the existing subjects we have.
If every doctor could write their own SQL queries against their own data, if the dentist office manager could pull the list of customers who live within 2 miles, if the marketeer can put his own static site very quickly, if the scientist can write code the parses his text and automatically pull related text from wikipedia and links to relevant papers written between 1738 and 1776. Why must they wait for you and I to do this? Why the wait?
I'm not sure if programming teaches critical thinking, reading and writing any better than the existing subjects we have.
My point is that learning critical thinking, reading, and writing is what we should focus on because it ultimately makes better programmers.
For what is a good program if not a well thought through problem (logic) turned into a few lines of text (writing, reading) that provide the solution.
It sounds a bit stupid when it's put that way doesn't it?
That's essentially what "everyone should learn to code" boils down to.
There just isn't going to be any meaningful return on the mental investment unless coding is going to be your new career.