Minister Bruton announces Leaving Certificate Computer Science subject
-
From: Department of Education
- Published on: 4 January 2018
- Last updated on: 2 October 2019
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."
ENDS
Notes to the Editor:
List of schools participating:
| School Name | Address |
| 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 |