Vol. 387 No. 4
asked the Minister for Education if she will clarify the criteria laid down for certification at leaving certificate level in relation to the computer studies course; and if such certificate is granted in respect of computer application or computer programming.
141.
asked the Minister for Education in relation to the number of students sitting the computer studies examination at leaving certificate level, the percentage success rate in respect of (1) 1987 and (2) 1988.
142.
asked the Minister for Education the number of post-primary schools offering a computer studies option at leaving certificate level.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 140, 141 and 142 together.
The criteria laid down in relation to the computer studies option for senior cycle pupils is published in the "Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools" (Page 219). The syllabus to be followed includes both computer application and computer programming, the emphasis being on problem solving techniques.
The computer studies option does not form part of the leaving certificate examination but pupils who take it and perform satisfactorily are given statements to that effect by my Department. School authorities who wish their pupils to receive such a statement must apply in good time for approval. Records of the work done by pupils during the year must be available for monitoring. At the end of the year the principal of each school concerned is required to furnish my Department with a list showing the names of the pupils who have satisfactorily completed the course and who have reached a satisfactory standard. The names of pupils submitted by the principal are, subject to monitoring, accepted as having reached a satisfactory standard and consequently the information sought regarding the percentage of unsuccessful students is not available within my Department.
At present the computer studies option is approved in a total of 271 post-primary schools. The total number of students who availed of the course in the 1986-87 school year and who performed satisfactorily was 7,728. The corresponding figure for the 1987-88 school year was 8,325.
