Tipperary third level college's new degree course a recipe for success for students

History was made in Thurles last week when Minister for Education Norma Foley officially launched the BA in Education, Home Economics and Business at the town’s Mary Immaculate College campus.

Up to now, the only other third level college offering a similar degree has been St Angela’s College is Sligo.

“Over the past number of years, the Department of Education has been working on issues relating to teacher supply in both primary and post-primary schools. Our schools certainly have faced challenges in particular subject areas and one of them has been the area of Home Economics and so I’m very pleased to see another avenue to grow more teachers and more expertise in this area and it will be an enormous benefit to us going forward” Minister Foley told staff and students at the launch.

She recalled that she had visited the college only last May to hear first-hand of the determination to deliver on the need for this programme.

“It is quite remarkable that in a very short space of time this course has been delivered and I salute all those who had a part to play in it,” said the Minister.

She said that there was no doubt that the programme would be a significant addition to the existing suite of programmes currently on offer in Thurles and they will provide another opportunity for MIC Thurles to thrive and to be greater.

Minister Foley wished the first intake the very best with their studies.

“By choosing this new BA course, you are now embarking on a journey of great societal consequence. Here, there will be an opportunity for you to follow an exciting pathway and one that is dedicated to nurturing, empowering, supporting and celebrating the capabilities and abilities of the next generation,” she said.

Dr Finn Ó Murchú, Head of School at MIC Thurles said: “We were delighted that Minister Foley launched our historic BA in Education, Home-Economics and Business programme in MIC Thurles.”

He said that at a time when teacher supply was a concern the programme sought to encourage students from diverse backgrounds to engage with the subject.

were particularly grateful to Tipperary ETB for its support in realising their ambition to offer such a programme in Thurles.
“We look forward to further growth and development in our Home Economic and related provision in the coming years,” said Mr Ó Murchú.

The BA in Education, Home Economics and Business is a four-year undergraduate teacher education degree which will, subject to Teaching Council approval, qualify graduates to teach Home Economics and Business Studies to honours Leaving Certificate level. The programme provision is supported by Tipperary Education and Training Board (ETB) and their culinary resources at the nearby Archerstown Training Centre.

The programme seeks to attract a diverse range of students and a number of places per year are reserved for applicants through the Higher Education Links Scheme, which gives learners the opportunity to use their QQI Level 5 or Level 6 major award to apply, through the CAO, for a place on the programme.

Katie Morley, who is among the first intake of students to the programme and said: “To be accepted on to the course has been a dream come through for me. Joan (Home Economics lecturer) and all the team here at MIC have put in a tremendous effort in putting together what I know will be a brilliant course and it’s an honour to be part of the pioneering process.

“I am really looking forward to hitting the ground running with this course and seeing what the next four years have in store for us.”
Tipperary Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill said described the commencement of the course as a “momentous day for education in Thurles”.

“It is a proud day for education in Thurles, as we launch the Home Economics course in the town,” he said.

Further information on the BA in Education and Home Economics and all of MIC’s Thurles offerings will be available at MIC’s Open Day on October 19 and 20.