Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The good points and the many positive aspects of the chief inspector's report must be welcome, particularly in light of the fact it has become more difficult for teachers in recent times. In smaller schools at primary level it has become more difficult with the Government's increase in the pupil-teacher ratio. At second level we have seen the withdrawal of career guidance posts, which have led to larger class sizes, a squeeze on subject choice and more pressure on teachers as a result.

Will the Minister of State comment on whether, following the findings of the chief inspector's report, he and the Minister for Education and Skills intend to increase the number of inspections and appraisals and widen their scope? Earlier this year the chief schools inspector raised the prospect of annual reviews of the performance of teachers and principals. Harold Hislop pointed out that, unlike some countries, Ireland has no system of regular evaluation of school staff. He also pointed out the purpose of regular performance reviews is not for hard accountability but to foster genuine improvement for the individual and the school. Mr. Hislop stated in Ireland, teachers on probation are subject to assessment and there is also a formal process for dealing with under-performing teachers, but otherwise there is no procedure under which the competence or standards of an individual teacher's work are regularly and systematically evaluated within the school. I ask the Minister of State to comment on whether the Government has any plans in this regard.

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