UCC approves first-ever primary teaching programme

University College Cork (UCC) is to launch its first-ever primary teacher education programme, with a new postgraduate course focused on teaching through the medium of Irish due to welcome its first students in 2027.

The two-year, full-time Level 9 programme will prepare graduates to become qualified primary school teachers, with a particular emphasis on Irish-medium education.

The initiative marks UCC's first entry into primary teacher training and is aimed at helping address demand for teachers in Gaelscoileanna and other Irish-medium settings.

The programme has been developed through a rigorous academic approval process within UCC and reflects the commitment of the university to excellence in education, social justice, and widening access to the teaching profession, it said.

Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton described the programme as a significant milestone for Irish-medium education, saying it would help strengthen the supply of qualified teachers and support the continued growth of Irish-language schooling.

“One of my key priorities as minister is to strengthen the confidence and competence of young people in speaking Irish, both within and beyond the classroom," she said.

Expanding opportunities to train teachers through the medium of Irish is central to achieving that goal.

“This new programme will help ensure a strong pipeline of highly skilled teachers who are equipped to deliver high quality Irish medium education, particularly in immersion settings, and to support the continued growth of Gaelscoileanna and Irish-medium provision for generations to come.

“By investing in the next generation of Irish medium teachers, we are also investing in the future of our language, helping to ensure that Irish remains a vibrant, living language in schools and communities across the country.” 

An information webinar on the programme will be held on October 27.