Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Is evaluation ever of any use if it is announced in advance? What lessons have been learned from the experience in Northern Ireland and will Dr. Hislop provide one or two examples in this regard?

In the context of what Senator Mary Moran stated, why are there so few inspections of the teaching of the arts? Some 783 inspections took place of the teaching of Irish, 700 of English and 800 of mathematics. We are very far behind the curve in the development of drama and music as core curriculum subjects in both primary and secondary schools. What is the standard in the inspections carried out in schools of the teaching of drama and the visual arts? How does Dr. Hislop feel about the fact that we still cannot get matters right in respect of either Irish or mathematics? Where problems arise, they do so in the case of these subjects.

The report is brilliant, but it shows up major communication discrepancies with regard to parental involvement in the choosing of subjects for the leaving certificate examination. When parents were asked a question on whether schools regularly sought their views on school matters, 32% indicated that they disagreed, while 24% responded that they did not know. This means that 56% were not in agreement, which is very serious. When asked whether schools' parents' associations kept them informed, some 28% of parents indicated that they disagreed, while 20% responded that they did not know. That means that some 48% were in disagreement. Only 58% of students indicated that they had received helpful advice from teachers at key transition points in their school careers, which means that 42% had not received such advice. That is a serious problem, particularly as such advice can set students on a particular path. The report states, "Overall, one of the weakest areas of teachers' practice was their use of assessment ... and their efforts to differentiate the teaching and learning activities to suit varying learning needs and abilities of students". Will Dr. Hislop comment on this matter?

I am particularly concerned about the arts in education. We consistently capitulate on the teaching of the arts, although I accept the importance of teaching the three Rs.

However, that is done to the detriment of developing drama, language, literacy and oracy skills. I do not mean that all students should take part in a school play; rather, I mean the idea of oracy, expression, orality and movement. Music is different because it is a leaving certificate subject. I would like the witnesses to speak about that. I thank the witnesses for their input. I enjoyed the report, having been in involved in this area for 30 years.