Tobar

The Irish education system needs and wants members of the Irish Traveller Community to become teachers. If you want to become a teacher, the Tobar programme can support you. If you want to change peoples’ lives and believe that education has the power to create a fairer society, teaching is the career for you.

The Tobar programme has two strands that can support you to become a teacher:

Strand 1 is for students who want to become primary school teachers who are currently in secondary school and have completed the junior certificate and are preparing for the leaving certificate.

Strand 2 is for individuals who are in the final year of a level 8 undergraduate degree or who have already completed a degree and would like to become a primary or secondary school teacher

By registering with TOBAR, you will access tailored support at Marino Institute of Education (for primary teaching) or Trinity College Dublin (for post-primary teaching) to achieve the entry requirements for initial teacher education programmes. These comprise:

- Academic: Assistance with application forms, grant applications, educational guidance, study skills, digital skills, academic writing, additional classes in core subjects (Gaeilge, Maths, English, as needed), support for school placements, early access to lecture notes, library orientation, and more.

- Social: Bespoke campus orientation, access to all student services and societies, participation in the TOBAR buddy system, connecting you with fellow TOBAR students.

- Personal: Weekly check-ins with the TOBAR Project Officer, guidance on overcoming challenges during your undergraduate or postgraduate programme.

- Financial: Fees for applications, books and course materials, laptop loans, LEAP card top-ups, and other financial assistance.

- Disability: Support for physical, academic, and mental health challenges, including access to Student Counselling Services and exam accommodations. These supports are available to all MIE and TCD students.

- Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) Support: After you qualify as a teacher, the TOBAR team will assist with CV and interview preparation and support your transition into a school environment.

Contact Us:

- Email: [email protected]

- WhatsApp Text or Call: 087 4703729

All communication with Tobar is confidential.

Tobar is funded under the Higher Education Authority’s (HEA) Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH).