104 secondary schools will offer Physical Education and Computer Science as Leaving Cert subjects from this September onwards.
The schools have been given €450,000 in grants for these new programmes.
It is understood that 40 schools will offer Computer Science as a subject and 64 schools will offer Physical Education as a subject.
Minister for Education Richard Bruton said these two new subjects will help keep Irish schools in tune with the needs of today’s society.
He added that the subjects were introduced to keep up with the country’s economic needs. He hopes the introduction of Computer Science will boost Ireland’s status in that industry.
The government hopes the introduction of Physical Education as an exam subject will boost youths’ interest in exercise and fitness.
There will be three sections to the new subject, including a written exam, a physical activity project, and a performance assessment.
Pupils will be awarded CAO points for sports including rugby, rowing, tennis, rock climbing, swimming and jazz dance.
Secondary school pupils can study the topic at both higher and ordinary level.
Leo Varadkar believes it will help improve children’s fitness and health levels.
He stated that it was a big government priority to add the subject to the Leaving Certificate curriculum. The government hope that it will encourage youths to practice healthier lifestyles.
