John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

The inspectorate may have something to learn from it.

We should not be dismissive of a report we can learn from just because people are getting hyper-sensitive. I firmly believe the area of teacher training must have a greater emphasis, in the modern society in which we live, on how teaching skills are communicated and knowledge is imparted rather than academia. I would like to see some redressing of the balance in their education syllabus in that regard.

I welcome the Minister's commitment to this report and that we are taking on board self-criticism. This is no harm and it is the only way we will improve. Such improvement will be to the benefit of all the students in the country and the teaching profession.