Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue, in which respect there have been developments across the primary and post-primary sectors. The Action Plan for Education includes a commitment to developing a new subject specification for leaving certificate computer science, which will help to harness and develop student interest in this strategically important discipline.

In this regard, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, recently commenced the curriculum development process, with a view to the subject being introduced to schools from September 2019 following a period of professional development for teachers of the subject. The formulation of curriculum and assessment arrangements is a complex and intensive process. It can involve research, analysis, action research or piloting in schools and extensive consultation with stakeholders, including students, parents, teacher unions and others. This is then followed by a period of professional development for teachers. I am exploring whether the projected timescale for leaving certificate computer science can be adjusted so that implementation in schools can commence sooner.

At junior cycle level, a short course on coding developed by the NCCA is available to schools on an optional basis. This course looks to build on the coding skills that primary students may have experienced while offering insight into possible future studies in computer science and software engineering.

At primary level, the NCCA, at my request, is considering coding as part of a wider review of the curriculum, including the introduction of computational thinking and flexible and creative thinking skills into the mathematics curriculum. A new primary school curriculum for junior infants to second class is planned for implementation from September 2018. As part of this, I am exploring the introduction of an initiative in the area of coding at primary level. There is also a transition year module relating to having fun with computer programming and games.

In addition to these initiatives, a large number of schools are running voluntary coding programmes through initiatives such as CoderDojo, which we should learn from to improve the outcomes of the education system for our children.

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