There's A New Leaving Cert Subject Getting Added To The Curriculum In 2018

The Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton has just announced that Computer Science will be added as a Leaving Cert subject in 2018.

This is all part of the Government's Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 Action Plan 2017 which was announced by the TD yesterday. Another cool addition is that coding will also become a part of the primary school maths curriculum.

The point of this strategy is to try and filter information and communications technology into the school curriculum. It's all down to helping children and teenagers keep up with the "digital revolution" that has already saturated them for most of their lives.

Speaking at the launch yesterday, Minister Bruton said, "We want to ensure that Ireland is well placed to take advantage of the digital revolution which is taking place, and having a transformative effect on our economy, workplace, and lifestyle".

Another huge reason Computer Science will be added to the Leaving Cert is in order to get more students doing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) courses. It's a known fact that Computer Science has the highest dropout rate out of all courses in Ireland.

The hope is that by introducing the course at Leaving Cert level, students won't feel as overwhelmed and the dropout rate will decrease.