Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Hislop for his presentation. I am my party's education spokesperson in the Seanad and I have a major interest in this extremely wide-ranging area.

I compliment our guests on their very detailed report which makes for excellent reading and contains some fantastic recommendations. Will they expand on the position on self-evaluation? I was a teacher for many years and witnessed what happened in school and subject evaluations. Schools are notified of evaluations perhaps three or four weeks before they occur. All normal activity stops in order that everything can be made ready. Floors that were never previously mopped are suddenly cleaned. Everything is made rosy for the arrival of the inspectors. In the light of the huge competition in the context of the points race for third level and self-evaluation, every school will naturally want to provide the best impression possible. In that context, it is welcome that the inspectorate is introducing confidential questionnaires for parents and pupils. It is extremely important for students that the process in this regard remain confidential. There should be a similar process for teachers in order that they might comment on things that are happening on a confidential basis. I would love this to be implemented. Naturally, teachers can be afraid to come forward.

The concept of follow-up inspections to which Dr. Hislop referred is brilliant. How effective have such inspections proved to be and what percentage of schools of schools have followed up on recommendations made by the inspectorate?

As I live near the Border, I am, therefore, interested in the North-South aspect. I conducted some thesis research on the subject I taught, music. That research contemplated music technology and the quality of the teaching of the subject, North and South. How does this jurisdiction compare with the North in the teaching of this subject and whole-school evaluations? How can we build on what has already been done in this regard? Earlier today the Seanad engaged in a debate on the importance of the Teaching Council of Ireland. Having a regulatory body such as the council in place ensures people sending their children to school know that they will receive the best education from fully licensed professionals. What is the way forward in this regard?

There are many other questions which I could pose, but I will leave it at that for now.