Saint Patricks College in Thurles has announced that it has recorded a huge increase in CAO applications for its two religious teacher training degree programmes for next September. The college is currently offering two full-time level 8 courses including a BA (honours) in Education Irish and Religious Studies, the demand for which has increased by a massive 35%, and a BA in Business and Religious Studies, which has seen an increased demand of 16% on last year.
Students who are currently doing their Leaving Cert examinations still have a change of mind option until July 1 should they decide to opt for Saint Patrick's College.
Speaking this week college President Fr Tom Fogarty expressed his delight at the figures, claiming, “this increase is amazing and is very welcome given the slight drop for teacher application programmes for 2010. Students who graduated from the Business and Religious studies course can teach Leaving Cert honours in religious studies , business organisation and accounting and junior cert business studies, Maths, SPHE and CSPE so it's a really attractive course for students”' according to Fr Fogarty.
SIC: CIN