Six Cork schools among first to study computer science for the Leaving Cert

SIX Cork secondary schools will be among the first in Ireland to study Computer Science as a Leaving Certificate subject from this September.

Carrigaline Community School, Christ King Girls Secondary School, Coláiste an Chraoibhin in Fermoy, Coláiste Choilm in Ballincollig, Mayfield Community School and Sacred Heart Secondary School in Clonakilty, are among the 40 schools selected to study the subject, with the first Leaving Cert exam to be sat in 2020.

Students studying Computer Science will learn creative design and how to programme languages as well as how to read, write, test and modify computer programmes.

Designing web pages, digital animations, simulations, games, apps and robotic systems will also be part of the curriculum.

The Department of Education also plans to introduce coding and computational thinking as part of the new maths curriculum for primary schools.

The introduction of Computer Science as a Leaving Certificate subject will lead to more students choosing careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), according to Minister for Education Richard Bruton.

“This is a very exciting time for education in Ireland,” he 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,” he added.

“The introduction of this new subject will teach our young people flexible, solution-oriented thinking,” said Minister Bruton.