Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2019
191. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of his plans to have the subject of computer science made available as an option to all schools from September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10434/19]
View answerFrom the beginning of the 2020/21 academic year, the new Leaving Certificate Computer Science subject will be made available to all interested schools, should they wish to offer it as an option for their Leaving Certificate programme for incoming 5th years in September 2020.
A communication circular outlining the application/expression of interest process for the national rollout will be issued to all second-level schools early in the 2019/2020 school year.
In order to facilitate the national rollout, it is essential that schools who opt to provide the subject are in a position to begin teaching of the subject in September 2020. The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) will provide an intense programme of Continuous Professional Development for teachers involved in delivering the new subject in these schools.
In addition to the above, a circular on Curriculum-related developments at Senior Cycle issued from the Department in December 2018 advising schools, inter alia, of the new specifications being introduced from September 2020. Schools have been advised that should they wish to introduce Computer Science they should ensure they have in place the appropriately qualified teaching personnel, digital devices and infrastructure required for their implementation. Schools can, in this regard, deploy some of the ICT Infrastructure grants paid under the Digital Strategy for Schools towards this purpose. The circular is available at: https://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0083_2018.pdf
