New Leaving Cert subject to be rolled out this September

40 schools around Ireland will kick it off.

Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton has announced that Computer Science will become a new Leaving Cert subject starting this September. 40 schools around Ireland will have Computer Science as part of their curriculum and will be the first schools to sit an exam on the subject in 2020.

Today’s announcement is one of a range of actions the Minister is taking in this area, as outlined in his STEM strategy and Action Plan for Education, which aims to make Ireland the best education and training service in Europe by 2026.

Students will learn about programming languages and how to read, write, test and modify computer programs. They will also be taught computational thinking, creative design and how to analyse problems in computational terms.

Students will also learn how to design computational artefacts such as web pages, digital animations, simulations, games, apps and robotic systems.

Announcing the new subject, Mr Bruton said: "There is a digital revolution taking place which is having a transformative effect on our economy, workplace, and lifestyle. In order to be the best in Europe, our education system must respond to these changes. The introduction of this new subject will teach our young people flexible, solution orientated thinking."

The 40 participating schools are listed below.

Abbey Vocational School The Glebe, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal Adamstown Community College Station Rd, Adamstown, Co. Dublin Breifne College Cootehill Rd, Cavan, Co. Cavan Bush Post Primary Riverstown, Dundalk, Co. Louth Carrigaline Community School Waterpark, Carrigaline, Co. Cork Castleblayney College Dublin Road, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan Christ King Girls Secondary School Half Moon Lane, South Douglas Road, Cork Clongowes Wood College Clane, Co. Kildare Coláiste an Chraoibhin Duntaheen Road, Fermoy, Co. Cork Coláiste Bríde New Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 Coláiste Chiaráin Croom, Co. Limerick Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig, Co. Cork Coláiste Mhuire Mullingar, Co. Westmeath Coláiste na Ríochta Listowel, Co. Kerry Colaiste Phadraig Roselawn, Lucan, Co. Dublin Coláiste Pobail Setanta Phibblestown CC, Phibblestown, Dublin 15 Creagh College Carnew Road, Gorey, Co. Wexford Dominican College Sion Hill Sion Hill, Blackrock, Co Dublin Ennistymon Vocational School Ennistymon, Ennis, Co. Clare Gaelcholaiste Mhuire AG An Mhainistir Thuaidh, Corcaigh Le Chéile Secondary School Hollystown Road, Tyrellstown, Dublin 15 Loreto College Swords, Co. Dublin Luttrellstown Community College Mill Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 Mayfield Community School Old Youghal Road, Mayfield, Cork Moate Community School Church Street, Moate, Co. Westmeath Mount Sion CBS Barrack Street, Waterford Mount Temple Comprehensive Malahide Road, Dublin 3 Presentation Secondary school Clonmel, Co. Tipperary Rice College Castlebar Road, Westport, Co. Mayo Sacred Heart Secondary School Convent of Mercy, Clonakilty, Co. Cork Saint Eunan's College Letterkenny, Co. Donegal St Aidan's Comprehensive School Cootehill, Co. Cavan St Brigids Mercy Secondary School Convent Of Mercy, Tuam, Co. Galway St Joseph's Secondary School Convent Lane, Rush, Co. Dublin St Mary's CBS Millpark Road, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford St Vincent's Secondary School Seatown Place, Dundalk, Co. Louth St. Finian's Community College Swords, Co. Dublin Stratford College 1 Zion Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6 Synge St CBS Synge St., Dublin 8 Terenure College Templeogue Road, Terenure, Dublin 6W