If our schools scream for reform, let’s reform them
November 5, 2013
IT is hardly news to anyone that there are “weaknesses in the teaching and learning of Irish”, as pointed out by the Chief Inspector of Schools in his report for the years 2010-2012.
This is self evident from the fact that successive generations of students emerge at the end of their primary and second-level education with only a vague idea of the language and an inability to carry out a conversation in Gaeilge. More worrying perhaps is the fact that the Chief Inspector, Harold Hislop, has identified weaknesses “to a lesser” extent than Irish, in the teaching of maths and it is hoped the newly introduced Project Maths syllabus will help to eradicate some of these problems. The Chief Inspector’s report is based on visits by inspectors to over half of primary schools, and more than nine in 10 post-primary schools over the two-year period.
While his report says that a majority of schools are well managed and most teachers work effectively there are, he declares, “dimensions of education delivery that are, to varying degrees, problematic”. What this means is that “definite shortcomings in approaches to planning and preparation for students” exist in both primary and post-primary sectors. For those with school-going children this is indeed worrying. Whatever about Irish, and for many it remains an important part of our educational system and our culture in general, it is not good enough that serious deficiencies have been identified in the teaching of mathematics. This is now a subject of fundamental importance in the digital age and the Chief Inspector’s report is not the first to point out that Irish teachers and schools need to do better.
The survey also found that communication with parents is another area where schools must do better. Parents do not believe they get enough advice when it comes to the subjects their children choose for the Leaving Certificate. There is also widespread dissatisfaction at the response to the problematic area of bullying, which has become an issue of so much importance. “The picture that emerges in this report lays down challenges for everyone who works in the educational system,” concludes Mr Hislop. It is reassuring that he believes “excellence in terms of learning experience and standards can be achieved” but that does not detract from the Education Minister Ruairi Quinn’s contention that in some areas education is “screaming for reform” and maths and Irish would seem like a good starting point.
WHEN DID OUR PUBLIC SERVICE FORGET IT EXISTS TO SERVE THE PUBLIC?
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