Inspection of Schools: Summary

The following are the functions of inspectors as set out in the Rules for National Schools and in Department of Education and Science circulars:

• to act as agents of the Minister for Education and Science;
• to supply the Minister for Education with such information and advice on matters pertaining to individual schools and on educational matters in general as s/he may require for the effective administration of the system;
• to co-operate with management authorities and teachers in the work of schools;
• to stimulate interest in curriculum content and methodology;
• to help young teachers and others who, in the inspector's opinion, are in need of assistance and advice;
• to advise teachers, particularly principal teachers, on the implementation of a suitable school programme;
• to assess the work of each school as a whole;
• to call the attention of teachers and management to any breaches of rule;
• to carry out a general inspection annually of the work of:
  

  a) teachers rated 'unsatisfactory'
  b) teachers on probation
  

• to carry out a general inspection at the request of a teacher;
• to carry out a general inspection (following six months' notice of intention to do so) in the case of teachers who, in the opinion of the inspector, no longer merit the rating ‘satisfactory’;
• to perform an inspection of schools for the purposes of a School Report;
• to select highly successful schools which teachers from other schools may visit for the purpose of observing methods of organisation and teaching;
• to communicate personally, or in writing, with the board of management with reference to the general condition of the school or to matters requiring the attention of management, making such suggestions as they may deem necessary; and
• to carry out such other functions, as agents of the Minister, which the Minister may from time to time require.
  

Inspectors are not authorised to decide on any question affecting a national school or the general business of the Minister and may not give direct orders in a school (other than in a Model School). (Rule 161(2) Rules for National Schools).

The following are the responsibilities of members of the inspectorate:

• to carry out their functions (as outlined above) through incidental and/or pre-arranged visits to schools;
• to inspect schools;
• to assess the work of teachers; and
• to acquaint themselves with the work of the schools in their districts and with local circumstances which influence the work of both teachers and pupils.