Chronological perspective

1976. The founding of the Teacher Training College in Eskoriatza.

In an endeavour to solve the grave problem the “Ikastolas”or Basque-medium schools were facing at that time (caused by the lack of qualified, Basque-speaking teachers), “Hezibide Elkartea”, the Education Association, the body that brought together the educational cooperatives in the Upper Deba area, created the Teacher Training College of Eskoriatza. Initially, lectures began to be given as a classroom attached to the Pontifical University of Salamanca.

1978. Official Recognition.

The Ministry of Education approved the Eskoriatza Teacher Training College’s academic programme and from then onwards it became linked to the University of Bilbao (later the EHU-UPV or the University of the Basque Country).

1979. The first batch of students qualified.

That year 39 teachers left armed with their teaching diplomas.

1980. “Irakasle Eskola” became a cooperative.

It was a natural step for the college to become a cooperative, bearing in mind that it was firmly established in its milieu.

1981. The first batch of teachers who did not have teaching certificates qualified.

That year 147 schoolteachers who had been working in the “Ikastolas” and as Basque teachers without certificates in public schools obtained their diplomas. A total of 700 schoolteachers without certificates completed their studies at the Teacher Training College of Eskoriatza.

1984. Centre for Documents on children.

The College began to gather, organise and disseminate documents pertaining to children up to the age of 6. Later on the journal Jakingarriak started to be published on this subject.

1985. Teachers’ refresher programme.

In conjunction with the Education Department of the Basque Autonomous Community Government courses began to be organised to keep those teachers who were working abreast of developments in their field.

1988. Educational Videos.

This year saw the first in a video collection produced for educational purposes. It was called “Piti gaztagile” (Piti, the Cheese Maker).

1990. Basque language normalisation in the administration.

Special courses were run to enable the civil servants in the Basque administration to attain the highest linguistic competencies.

1992. Text book production.

As there was a need for textbooks in Basque education, about a dozen books were published.

1996. Special Needs Education. The teaching specialisation aimed at children with special educational needs came into being at a time when there were few students enrolled, and this specialisation attracted many.

1997. The M.U. Faculty of Humanities.

The Teacher Training College of Eskoriatza became the Faculty of Humanities and Education of MONDRAGON UNIVERSITY (M.U.). It began to award Degrees in Business Humanities.

1999. The New Building.

As the original building was no longer big enough, the Gizabidea Foundation purchased the 17th century San Viator premises next door for the Faculty of Humanities and Education.

First Master’s Degree.

The Master’s degree course in “Business Project Management” was created. There were 400 candidates but only 20 obtained a place on the course after going through a rigorous selection process.

2000. Degree in Psychopedagogy.

This Honours Degree Course came about in order to respond more effectively to the problems arising out of multilingual education and society. 33 students enrolled in the first year.

2001. On-line studies. Studies in Psychopedagogy and one Master’s degree course were made available on the Internet.

The first batch of Business Humanities students completed their studies in June.

Two new Master’s Degrees offered, one in Information and Communication Technologies Applied to Training and the other in Educational Establishment Management were offered.

2002.

Within Psychopedagogy, the Psychopedagogical Intervention Course was started with about 30 students.

2003. AOI-PBL (Problem-Based Learning) Methodology

started being applied systematically during the 1st year.

The new Physical Education specialisation in Teacher Training kicked off with 32 students.

2004. The Person and Group Development Management Unit was set up. 

The degree in Pedagogical Training was introduced.

Multi-faceted Teacher

studies began to be offered. The Audiovisual Communication degree course was set up. The aim of this course is to train all-round communicators. Although they can work anywhere, they will be in a position to respond to all kinds of communication needs, wherever they may work. The course started with 36 students in the first year.

The same year saw the introduction of the Expert degree course entitled, “Personal development and team leadership”