Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Tuesday, 21 November 2017
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills
Dáil na nÓg Delegate Report 2015: Discussion
4:00 pm
Mr. Hugh O'Reilly-Fitzgerald:
On the same question, I have certainly seen an increase in active learning. On the flip side, I also have seen an increase in teachers understanding that they are supposed to be implementing active learning but also I have definitely seen a push-back in that regard. When an inspector visits the school, I would come in and notice that all of the tables were arranged, as Craig has said, in groups of four - two facing two. When the inspector leaves, they are promptly put back. Essentially, what I am trying to get across is that perhaps there would be a generation of old-school teachers, as Kate Lehane pointed out, who are not entirely willing to change. It is difficult, without surprise inspections, to see whether any change is actually being made, unfortunately.