In a significant move, the Department of Education today begins publication of school inspection reports. Inspection reports on some 128 schools were published on the department's website at midnight; these include detailed reports on 18 primary and five secondary schools.
Almost 100 reports on the teaching of various subjects in schools are also published today.
Minister for Education Mary Hanafin sees the publication as a landmark in Irish education, heralding a new era of more information for parents. But the Minister repeated her firm opposition to school league tables which, she says, can only provide "a narrow and meaningless measure on the effectiveness of schools". She said the reports published today, by contrast, "provide a balanced and fair assessment".
Reports on a further 30 schools will be published before the end of the month. It is expected that reports will be published on a rolling basis every three months or so from the autumn. The department's decision to publish the reports comes only four years after it strongly opposed their release under the Freedom of Information Act to The Irish Times.
Pressure for greater information has been building since this newspaper, four years ago, began publishing lists detailing which schools are the main providers of students to third-level colleges.
All three teacher unions back the publication of school inspection reports, although many teachers are concerned they could be identified in them. The teacher unions - the INTO, the ASTI and the TUI - hope the publication of the reports will stem the demand for school league tables.
Earlier this year, Information Commissioner Emily O'Reilly said parents would continue to push for full school league tables as long as the entire third-level entry system was linked to Leaving Cert points.
Last night, the INTO said it would study the reports carefully to see that inspectors produced fair and balanced reports. Its general secretary, John Carr, said: "Teachers will want to see that there are no blatant omissions. They will want to see references to large class sizes, rundown buildings and significant shortfalls in State funding."
ASTI general secretary John White said the reports demonstrated that schools were performing to a high standard. "We have high international standing in terms of the academic performance of our second-level students. This is despite the fact that Ireland come 21st out of 27 countries when it to comes to education spending per second-level student."
Primary schools
CLARE: Rockmount National School, Miltown Malbay
CORK: Ballygiblin National School, Mitchelstown; Newmarket Boys NS, Newmarket; Scoil Cuilinn Uí Caoimh, Mallow
DUBLIN: Rush National School, Rush; Scoil Naisiúnta Naomh Finnin, Rivermount, Finglas South;
GALWAY: Scoil Naisiúnta Inis Bó Finne, Inisbofin; Scoil Naisiúnta Naomh Conla, Tuam
KERRY: Scoil na Cnocáin, (Knockanes), Killarney
LAOIS: Scoil Bhríde, Rathdowney
LOUTH: Réalt na Mara National School, Dundalk
MAYO: Bohola National School, Bohola;
Scoil Náisiúnta Inbhear, Inbhear, Barr an Trá, Béal an Átha; Scoil Náisiúnta Tamhnighan Fheadha (Tavneena), Charlestown
TIPPERARY: St Michael's National School, (Scoil Náisiúnta Cléireacháin) Clerihan, Clonmel; Scoil Naisiúnta Cholmain Naofa, Terryglass, Nenagh
WATERFORD: Scoil Mhuire, Scoil Náisiúnta Dun na Mainistreach, Dungarvan;
WESTMEATH: Scoil Náisiúnta an Cusan, Coosan, Athlone
Post-primary schools
KILKENNY: Castlecomer Community School, Castlecomer
LAOIS: St Fergal's College, Rathdowney
ROSCOMMON: Elphin Community College
TIPPERARY: Abbey School, Tipperary; Central Technical Institute, Clonmel
SEE: www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/des_school_inspection_reports.htm
