SCHOOLS SHOULD provide parents with information on the performance of pupils in State exams and on all aspects of school life, Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe told the annual conference of school inspectors.
Over the coming months, the Minister will back a new approach in which information is readily available to parents.
Last night the Teachers' Union of Ireland said publication of examination results would inevitably lead to the production of school league tables.
If State examination results were to become the only indicator of the success or otherwise of a school, the true meaning of education would be severely distorted, general secretary Peter McMenamin said.
The new approach will include information on a range of matters, including: school achievements and performance; school admission policies; and priorities for development and improvement.
At present, there is a divergence in the approach of schools with some happy to release any information and others more guarded.
Yesterday, a spokesman for the Minister stressed that Mr O'Keeffe remains strongly opposed to school league tabes and that any change would only be introduced after consultation with the education partners.
"What the Minister has in mind is that, through either guidelines or through regulations made under the Education Act, a consistency of approach would be encouraged whereby all schools would provide information to parents on the operation of the school, including learning outcomes."
In recent years there has been a change in the department's approach to school accountability with the publication of over 2,000 school inspection reports.
The Minister told the annual conference of school inspectors yesterday that parents should have good quality information about their schools. "The publication of your reports is a very positive development in this regard. But I'm sure you will agree that external inspection reports are not the only development needed in this area," he said.
"Many schools are good at making policies available to parents. But I would like to see more information about the school's real progress in its programmes and activities."
