New grants are being allocated for schools in County Donegal that will be offering new Leaving Certificate courses in computer science and physical education.
However, no school in either Sligo or Leitrim is getting any of the grants.
The six schools in Donegal which will benefit from grants for the new physical education subjects are Carndonagh Community School; Abbey Vocational School in Donegal Town; Moville Community College, Scoil Mhuire Secondcary School in Buncrana; St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny; and Deele College in Raphoe.
St Eunan’s and the Abbey Vocational School will also get €3,000 each for taking part in Phase 1 of the new Leaving Cert computer science subject for the purchase of connector devices.
However, there is surprise that no school in Sligo or Leitrim is getting any of the grants.
In total, 104 post -primary schools in total throughout the country will offer the courses for the first time from September.
Education Minister Richard Bruton says the introduction of the new Leaving Certificate subjects is part of efforts to ensure the education system keeps pace with the changing society and needs of the economy.
He says Physical Education reflects the priority the government puts on promoting healthy lifestyles and choices while Computer Science is aimed at making Ireland a STEM leader among European colleagues.
40 Schools will offer Computer Science as a subject in the first phase of its introduction from September, while 64 will take part in the first phase of the introduction of Physical Education.
