SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS are set to face unannounced inspections by the Department of Education.

Currently post-primary teachers receive advance notice of a visit, but under these new plans inspectors will carry out surprise one-day monitoring sessions to assess the quality and effectiveness of learning and teaching in schools.

The Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn has approved draft proposals for how the inspections will be carried out. Teachers unions, school management bodies and the National Parents Council were asked to attend consultation sessions on the process.

Quinn said that the surprise inspections are a “logical” step in improving inspection processes for schools. He also said that inspectors will be able to offer advice to teachers on foot of the visits about how improvements can be made.

Last year an OECD study found that literacy levels in Ireland have dropped more than in any other OECD country. It found that one in six students have significant reading problems.

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