Report Uncovers Irish, Maths Teaching Issues

A new report on education in Ireland has uncovered problems surrounding the teaching of Irish and mathematics.

The Chief Inspector's Report 2010-12 found students' learning to be less than satisfactory in almost a quarter (24%) of Irish lessons in primary schools and almost a third (32%) of Irish lessons in post-primary schools.

While standards in the teaching and learning of mathematics achieved satisfactory or better in 85% of lessons inspected, inspectors noted a "lack of opportunities for primary pupils to engage in the sort of collaborative working needed for effective problem-solving."

At post-primary level, students' learning was judged to be less than satisfactory in over a quarter of mathematics lessons (26%).

Despite this, the report indicated very high levels of satisfaction with regard to schools' performances.

97% of over 47,000 parents surveyed in primary schools felt teaching was good in their child's school. In post-primary schools, 87% of 20,000 parents surveyed held similar views.

The report follows a period of reform in how school inspections are carried out since 2010. Many inspections are now unannounced and have become more frequent.

Inspectors judged that 86% of lessons inspected in unannounced inspections were satisfactory or better in primary schools.

"The reform of inspection has led to the introduction of a range of new models of inspection including unannounced inspections, follow-up inspections and a re-modelling of whole-school evaluation," said Education Minister Ruairí Quinn.

"The Inspectorate also gathers the views and opinions of parents and learners and I am delighted to see how these important views are reflected in the Chief Inspector's Report."

The Minister continued: "The Chief Inspector's Report acknowledges all the good practice that takes place on a daily basis in our schools in terms of quality leadership, management, teaching and learning. It reveals some weaknesses and points schools firmly in the direction of improvement."

"Inspections provide an important external look at the work of schools," said the Chief Inspector, "and are focused on helping each school to improve its teaching and learning. They also provide an important reassurance to parents and the public about the quality of the work of schools."

The Chief Inspector's Report also noted that spending on education rose from €3.218bn to €3.263bn at primary level and from €3.070bn to €3.147bn at post-primary level.

(IT/CD)