We were talking to a principal at a local school the other day, and I happen to ask about their computer science program in ESO (grades 7-10 for North Americans). He looked at me and said “Well, there’s no requirement for computer science in ESO in Catalunya.”
“What do you mean? I remember taking computer science in grade 8 about 25 years ago, but I guess that was not Spain.”
“Well, there is ‘technologia’, but that more like learning how to make a chair or how the engine of a car works.”
The 44% youth unemployment rate doesn’t look so crazy anymore.
The only place in Spain that has optional computer science in ESO is are Basque countries. I’ve read other good things about the educational system there, and it is interesting that their unemployment rate is more like 10%.