Schoolchildren are to be taught how to design and develop electronic games and to create computer animations and feature films.

It is hoped the scheme, part of the Scottish Government's Curriculum for Excellence, will create programmers of the future who will ensure the continued success of Scotland's games industry, which employs more than 500 people and generates £20m a year.

Some children are already taught computer design and animation, but the government says this is the first time guidelines on the skills they should be equipped with have been presented in Scotland.

It was reported at the weekend that university students are helping to rekindle interest in computing science courses in schools amid concerns for the future of the subject.

A drop in enrolment for university computing courses has resulted in a lack of qualified computer experts when the government wants Scotland to be at the forefront of a knowledge economy. Academics believe the fall is a result of the rise and fall of the dot.com industries.

Maureen Watt, Minister for Schools and Skills, said: "There is huge confidence that Scotland will continue to play an important part in the future of video games and interactive entertainment and we are focusing on establishing firm foundations for lifelong learning and, for some, specialised study and careers.

"A key aim of Curriculum for Excellence is to produce informed, skilled, adaptable and enterprising citizens of the future.

"The pace of change in the world means that we should be equipping young people with the skills to embrace and use all the tools of modern life."

Guidance on teaching technologies forms part of the "draft outcomes" published today as part of the government's plans to introduce a more holistic approach to pre-university education.

Curriculum for Excellence's mission is "to ensure that all young people can be successful learners, effective contributors, confident individuals and responsible citizens".

It aims to shift the balance from a teaching process heavily dependent on content to one that values new approaches that improve pupils' understanding of what is being taught.

Ms Watt said: "The draft outcomes for our new curriculum are intended to help teachers make teaching more relevant, exciting and engaging. Technologies are important areas of the whole learning process and we are keen to receive feedback on the outcomes from professionals."