Strengthening Inspection Legislation for Schools and Other Education and Training Establishments

Overview

Inspection is a critical part of school improvement, of supporting and maintaining the professionalism of our teaching workforce and of providing assurances to the public that our schools and other education and training establishments are providing quality education.  It is vital to all learners. 

The prolonged absence of inspection during the past decade due to its inclusion within Action Short of Strike means many schools have not been identified for the support they need to improve. This impacts on all learners but inevitably impacts most on those children and young people who are disadvantaged and vulnerable.

Inspection must be enabled to operate effectively and as intended.  The Department would like to hear your views and feedback on its policy proposals to strengthen, through new legislation, the statutory framework for inspection of schools and other education and training establishments. This would involve bringing forward a standalone Bill to remove any ambiguity from the current legislation and create an absolute requirement to cooperate with inspection.

It is strongly advisable to read the accompanying ‘Strengthening Inspection Legislation for Schools and other Education and Training Establishments’ consultation document prior to completing this questionnaire.

Why your views matter

We want to give everyone with an interest in this policy area the opportunity to have a say and influence these proposals. Your feedback will help us finalise our policy on this important issue.