Most teachers happy with school inspectors' work

Most teachers and principals are happy with the job done by school inspectors, a survey said today.

The first-ever study on behalf of the Inspectorate of the Department of Education and Science found high rates of satisfaction.

Up to 150 inspectors travel to schools every year to assess the teaching standards of staff.

Welcoming the survey results, Education Minister Mary Hanafin said she was pleased that the work done by inspectors in schools was rated so highly.

“The Inspectorate is committed to ensuring the highest standards of service in its evaluative, advisory and policy development work.

“It is heartening to note that the work and the interpersonal skills of inspectors are so highly endorsed by schools and teachers.”

In the MORI survey, 150 school principals and 539 teachers were sent questionnaires.

Questions focused on evaluation procedures, quality of reporting and the professional relationships in school evaluations by inspectors.

A total of 94% of principals said they were satisfied with professional relationships between inspectors and teachers.

Also, 89% were satisfied with evaluation procedures and 91% were satisfied with reporting.

93% of teachers were satisfied with the professional relationship with inspectors, 88% were satisfied with evaluation procedures and 87% were satisfied with reporting.

An Education Department spokeswoman added: “The survey also found that teachers placed particular importance on the inspectors’ interpersonal skills as well as professional expertise.

“Principals, on the other hand, were more concerned with the extent to which evaluations demonstrated a shared view of what is important for schools.

“The main issues raised by teachers and principals related to administrative procedures, such as appropriate notice regarding meetings and the prompt provision of written reports to schools.”