40 schools will be first to start studying Leaving Certificate Computer Science from this September

Minister Bruton today announced that 40 post primary schools around the country will start studying Leaving Certificate Computer Science from this September and will be the first to sit an exam in the subject in 2020.

The introduction of Computer Science as a Leaving Certificate subject is part of the Government’s overall commitment to embed digital technology in teaching and learning. The society our children will grow up in, will be one which has been fundamentally transformed by new technology.

Our education system must prepare our children to thrive in such an environment by equipping them with skills in creativity, adaptability and problem solving.

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. It also complements other curricular changes we are implementing such as introducing coding and computational thinking as part of the new maths curriculum for primary schools.

Computer Science for Leaving Certificate focuses on how programming and computational thinking can be applied to the solution of problems, and how computing technology impacts the world around us.

Students will learn

Computational thinking

How to analyse problems in computational terms

Programming languages and how to read, write, test and modify computer programs

Creative design

Design computational artefacts such as web pages, digital animations, simulations, games, apps and robotic systems

The ethical, historical, environmental and technological aspects of Computer Science, and how it impacts the social and economic development of society.

The 40 schools announced today will begin studying the subject from this September.

Announcing the new subject, Minister Bruton said: “This is a very exciting time for education in Ireland. 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. It will teach them to be creative, adaptable learners. It will increase the number of students taking up computing and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) courses and apprenticeships after school leading to a highly-skilled workforce. I’m delighted we were able to bring the introduction of this subject forward to this year as I think it is an important and timely addition to our education system”.

Notes for Editors

List of schools participating: