Quality of teachers key to Ireland’s success, says expert

By Niall Murray, Education Correspondent

Monday, February 01, 2010

MORE focus on the quality of teachers is a critical factor in improving the education system, a former top civil servant has claimed.

Don Thornhill, chair of the National Competitiveness Council, said Ireland’s ability to take maximum advantage of global economic recovery will be enhanced if the quality of education can continue to be raised.

The ex-secretary general of the Department of Education and former chair of the Higher Education Authority told the Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN) conference at the weekend that we need the best education system in the world, not just one that is good enough. But, he said, the focus should be on outcomes rather than allowing public investment in education dominate the debate.

"The commitment and skills of our educators and the support of parents make strong educational outcomes possible, notwithstanding historical underfunding," he said.

Among the policy challenges he outlined was a need for a formal pre-primary education system to tackle disadvantage and improve longer term performance.

"The free pre-school year, which started in January, is a positive step towards an integrated system, combining education with centre-based day care. A key issue is the upskilling of staff in the sector," Mr Thornhill said.

In relation to teacher quality and development, he said that rewarding merit, challenges surrounding seniority and ensuring collegiality should be seen as strengths.

"The burden of management and administration falls disproportionately on principals. Is too much time consumed with administrative returns? We need to allow teachers and principals focus on learning outcomes" he said.

Mr Thornhill suggested Government policy should pay relentless attention to teacher quality, which is already excellent from primary through to third level.

He argued that this could be done by making teaching a prestigious profession, and by ensuring attractive pay, reasonable exit arrangements, effective training and professional development.

At primary level, he suggested teaching time for maths and science be prioritised, and said too many pupils are leaving primary schools with very low reading ability and a poor grasp of basic mathematical concepts.

Mr Thornhill noted very low availability of computers in Irish schools and that computers and technology are not integrated into teaching on a system-wide basis.

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Monday, February 01, 2010