Education inspectors to evaluate Teagasc and other agricultural colleges

Department of Education inspectors will carry out evaluations on Teagasc and other agricultural colleges from next year, under a recently-signed agreement.

The inspectors normally conduct inspections at primary and second-level settings, but have already done pilot evaluations of teaching and learning in two colleges — at Ballyhaise College, Co Cavan, and the privately- owned Gurteen College in Roscrea, Co Tipperary earlier this year. It is one of three private colleges running Teagasc courses that are covered by the agreement.

More than 3,600 people are taught by Teagasc on full-time, part-time and distance education courses every year. The agriculture and food development authority already has a quality assurance programme, through an agreement with standards body Quality and Qualifications Ireland, but said it is introducing the whole-college evaluations as an additional measure, to guide education managers in continuously improving quality.