Computer body slams points system

The Irish Computer Society has called for dramatic changes in computing education at second level in order to protect the future of the IT industry in Ireland.

The Irish Computer Society has slammed the Leaving Cert points system, claiming it "can discourage students from taking technical subjects".

A report drawn up for the ICS by Professor Michael Ryan, Professor of Computing, Dublin City University said: "The present points system is unsound. It confuses the academic standard achieved and the competitive performance in the "points race".

"It leads students to select subjects on the basis of the perceived difficulty of obtaining good grades, and can discourage them from taking technical subjects."

The report suggests a different approach, such as a "competitive ranking structure".

According to the report, Ireland lags behind other EU countries in the provision of computing education at second level.

It says: "In England in 2002 over 26,000 students sat the A-level examination in computing. In Ireland, the corresponding number was nil - computing is still not on the Leaving Certificate curriculum.

"There is a lack of understanding of the educational value of computing. The subject draws upon and can illuminate areas as diverse as philosophy, logic, linguistics, systems theory, and mathematics.

"It develops abilities in analysis, critical thinking, and organisation. Its absence from the curriculum is a serious educational shortfall as well as a failure to address the needs of the economy.

"The current points system pressurises students to select those subjects perceived as giving higher proportions of good grades."

According to Professor Ryan: "The lack of a computing subject at second level leaves a serious gap in the education of those whose formal education ends there. Basic computer literacy is now a requirement, not an option or luxury, and should be addressed in the junior cycle or even earlier.

"A deeper understanding can be addressed in the senior cycle. For those who proceed to third level, lack of understanding of computing can lead to inappropriate course choices, and is a handicap unless corrected by further study."

The ICS believes that immediate action is needed in relation to

* Syllabi for computing in the junior and senior cycle

* Training and support of teachers

* Resource requirements, including computers, networking and software.

* Initial piloting of the new syllabi in selected schools, evaluation of the results, and extension to the second level system as a whole.

The Irish Computer Society was founded in 1967 as the national body for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professionals in Ireland.