Minister wants schools to give parents more information [Irish Examiner]
- Published: 12 January 2009
Source: Irish Examiner
MOVES to provide more information to parents about their children's schools are not a step towards the creation of league tables, Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has claimed.
The minister told the Irish Examiner before Christmas of his plans to introduce regulations requiring schools to provide more specific information to parents about many aspects of their performance, including exam results, non-academic activities and other areas.
He spelled out his vision in a speech to Department of Education inspectors last night, where he stressed his strong belief in the importance of parents having good quality information about their schools. While he believes the publication of inspectorate reports on schools since 2006 has been positive, Mr O'Keefe said more information is needed.
"I want schools to give more information to parents of students and potential students, as well as to local communities, about the school's performance in general," Mr O'Keeffe said.
"We need schools to share information about admissions policies, about the school's achievements and performance, its priorities for development and its strategic plans for improvement. I think we can improve accountability and transparency, while also avoiding an undue administrative burden on schools."
The minister's spokesperson said, while the availability of exam results might be included in the kind of information being considered, Mr O'Keeffe does not favour the creation of league tables.
The 1998 Education Act allows the minister to prevent the release of data which would allow such comparisons.
Former education minister Noel Dempsey hinted five years ago about his desire to make exam results and other information more widely available.
Mr O'Keeffe will be seeking to discuss his wish for greater information with teacher unions and school management organisations, which have opposed the creation of league tables, as well as parents' groups and other education partners.
Teachers' Union of Ireland general secretary Peter MacMenamin said the true meaning of education would be severely distorted if state exam results became the only indicator of the success or otherwise of a school.
"It would be particularly damaging to schools that strive to provide a holistic education for each child regardless of academic ability," he said.
