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 | |
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