ation for Teachers > Inspection and Probation > Rule 161: Inspection of Schools

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Rule 161: Inspection of Schools

Rule 161 of the Rules for National Schools as amended by Circular 11/’76 refers to Inspection of schools.

Six months’ notice

Sub-section 6 of this Rule refers to the issuing by an inspector of notice to a teacher that a General Inspection of her/his work will be held after an interval of six months. This notice is sent to a teacher who is rated 'satisfactory' but who no longer merits that rating in the opinion of the inspector. A six months’ notice is a written notice sent by registered post by an inspector to the teacher.

Rule 161(6) provides that:

1. Where the work of a teacher has deteriorated to such an extent that the estimate 'satisfactory' is no longer merited, and where, on at least two previous occasions during the preceding twelve months, an inspector has pointed out the defects observed in the teacher’s work and suggested remedies for them, an inspector (other than an unattached inspector) who is not satisfied that a genuine and reasonably successful effort has been made to remedy the defects, should give the teacher a formal written notice that it is the intention to hold a General Inspection of the teacher’s work after an interval of six months. An inspector shall not lower the estimate of the work of a teacher, other than a teacher on probation, except at a General Inspection following such notice.
   
2. The written notice referred to at subsection (a) of this section should be sent to the teacher by registered post, following oral notification on the day of the inspector’s visit.
   
3. In the interval between the issue of the notice and the holding of the General Inspection, the inspector should visit the school at least once, in order to afford the teacher such assistance as may be possible.
4. A clear interval of six months, exclusive of periods of illness or vacation, must elapse before a General Inspection is held following the issue of such notice. Furthermore, such General Inspection should not be held for at least six weeks after the reopening following the summer vacation or other prolonged closing.
   
5. The General Inspection held following the issue of a formal written notice need not necessarily be held by the inspector who issued the notice.