IPPN

Last Updated: Monday, 28 May 2012 10:08

Seven out of 10 parents believe that standards in primary school education have either risen or stayed the same in the past five years, according to a poll conducted by RedC on behalf of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN).
 
The poll was conducted among 729 respondents aged between 18 and 54 and, of those, 45% had dependant children under 16 and the rest had no dependant children under that age.
 

The poll found that 33% of parents with dependant children under 16 believed that primary school education standards have risen while 37% said they have stayed the same.
 
Over one-fifth, or 21%, believed that standards have dropped while the rest, 9%, said they did not know.
 
When the same question was put to adults without dependant children, 22% said standards in primary school education have risen, 25% said they have dropped, and 42% said they have stayed the same. 
 
The remainder, rounded up to 12%, did not know, according to the RedC poll.
 
IPPN Director Seán Cottrell said the results showed that public confidence in standards in primary school education remains high, with strong leadership from principals and high-calibre teachers playing a key role in delivering quality outcomes.
 
‘The figures show that the quality and integrity of the teaching profession retains broad public support and, as primary school leaders, IPPN will continue to play our part in creating a learning environment that delivers high-quality education outcomes for all our children regardless of their background.
 
‘The poll shows that parents, who are the critical stakeholders in primary education, do not, in the main, buy into critical commentary from organisations such as the OECD’s PISA on student performance - but this must not be cause for complacency and the Government must invest more in primary school education, particularly in disadvantaged schools, small schools, continuous professional development and information communications technology. 
 
‘IPPN will continue to have a constructive role in advancing primary education which is the foundation for a more equal society and a stronger economic recovery,’ said Mr Cottrell.
 
IPPN President Gerry Murphy described the poll as a useful barometer of public opinion on standards in primary school education.
 
‘All stakeholders - school leaders, teachers, education partners and Government - must continue to work together to raise the bar in children’s performance and close the gap between the highest and lowest achievers, irrespective of background.
 
‘Continued Government investment, not cutbacks, in primary schools and public confidence in the integrity and performance of our education system are critical components in securing the future for our children and driving economic recovery from the bottom up,’ said Mr Murphy.
 
ENDS
 
Methodology: RedC interviewed a random sample of 729 adults aged between 18 and 54 by telephone between March 19 and 21, 2012.  A random digit dial method, using both mobile and landline numbers, was used to ensure a random selection process of households to be included. This also ensures that ex-directory and mobile only households are covered. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results weighted to the profile of all adults, by gender, age social class and region. The margin of error on this sample size is +/- 3.6%.