Munster Technological College (MTU) held its first Traveller Dwelling Historical past occasion final week, with the goal of bringing higher consciousness to the Traveller tradition.
The occasion, hosted by MTU’s entry service Cork workplace, in partnership with MTU’s equality, variety, and inclusion workplace, honoured and showcased the tradition and historical past of the Traveller neighborhood by way of a reside show, celebrating their legacy and lifestyle.
The occasion was designed to allow workers, college students, and guests to find out about Irish Travellers, that are recognised as an indigenous minority in Eire, and to interact with private tales, and foster higher consciousness of the complexities of Traveller tradition.
The goal of the occasion was to advertise variety inside increased schooling establishments, which stays essential to increasing views and nurturing a extra inclusive atmosphere. Regardless of incremental progress, latest statistics from the Central Statistics Workplace underline the significance of continued assist, because the variety of Travellers sitting the Leaving Certificates stays low at 31.4%, in comparison with 91.7% of the full cohort.
The figures additional present that whereas the proportion of Travellers with a third-level qualification is on the rise, solely 4.7% presently full third-level schooling, compared to 47.7% of the overall inhabitants.
MTU president, professor Maggie Cusack, mentioned that it’s a precedence of the college to extend Traveller illustration inside increased schooling establishments.
“MTU is absolutely dedicated to advancing equality, variety, and inclusion throughout all our campuses,” mentioned Ms Cusack.
“This contains equality of alternative in order that we will create the very best tutorial and dealing atmosphere based mostly on mutual respect and dignity.
“MTU [was] proud to host this Traveller Dwelling Historical past occasion, which [celebrated] our college’s work with the Traveller neighborhood and provides to MTU’s wealthy variety and spirit of inclusion.
“We’re honoured to exhibit the distinctive tradition and historical past of Irish Travellers and hope to proceed elevating the profile of this neighborhood by way of different initiatives like our Traveller tradition consciousness coaching.”
