Physical education (PE) has to be cancelled in many schools in bad weather as there are no indoor facilities, according to the latest batch of school reports.
INTO general secretary John Carr said it was completely unacceptable that weather determines whether or not children get physical education in schools.
"The Department of Education and Science should determine the PE curriculum, not Met Éireann," he said.
A total of 175 school inspection reports were published yesterday on the Department of Education and Science website.
In Macroom, Co Cork inspectors found that physical education is "organised in the school yard or playing field". They say that delivery of the PE curriculum is of necessity subject to the influence of weather.
In Clonakilty, Co Cork the inspectors report that "physical education features on the programme for all classes but the absence of a school hall limits the work".
In a school in Loughrea, Co Galway the inspectors say "full implementation of the curriculum in Physical Education is limited by the lack of appropriate facilities."
While the teachers in the school are recognised as organising "a good range of activities to promote physical wellbeing and fitness" these activities have to take place in a "small general-purposes room" or in "a relatively confined area between the prefabricated units". The report says that the "grassed recreation area is used, weather permitting".
In Tuam, Co Galway the inspectors say "the school does not have any indoor facility for physical education".
In Claremorris, Co Mayo they say: "The school has access to no indoor facilities for the teaching of PE."
The reports published yesterday can be accessed in the highlights section of the department's website www.education.ie
