Minister Bruton announces Leaving Certificate Computer Science subject

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