Vol. 490 No. 7
19 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to provide access for parents to comprehensive records of their children's schooling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11166/98]
The Education (No. 2) Bill will set out a statutory framework for the administration of the education system at first and second level. The general aim of the Bill is to ensure that the education system is as responsive, effective, efficient and accountable as possible in meeting and responding to the rapidly changing demands for high quality education in the next century.
One of the most important objectives of the Bill is to enhance the transparency of the education system and its accountability to the various interests, including students and parents. Another important objective is to set out the rights of all of the partners in education — parents, patrons, students, teachers and the State.
Therefore, the Bill makes specific provision in section 9 for schools, as far as resources permit, to ensure that parents of a student have access in the prescribed manner to records kept by the school relating to the progress of the student in his or her education. The details of the process by which parents will have access to their children's records will be set out in regulations which, in accordance with section 33, will be made by the Minister following consultation with patrons, national associations of parents, recognised school management organisations and recognised trade unions and staff associations representing teachers.
Providing for access to students' school records is only one of the provisions designed to enhance accountability and transparency in the system. Other important measures include the provision that boards of management must keep accounts and records of all income and expenditure, that boards of management must establish procedures for informing the parents of children in the school of matters relating to the operation and performance of the school and that school plans must be circulated to parents, patrons, teachers and other staff of the school. As far as students are concerned, the Bill provides that boards must establish and maintain procedures for the purposes of informing students of the activities of the school.
I am confident that increased openness and sharing of information in the education system and in regard to the progress of individual students in schools can only enhance the ability of the system to respond increasingly to the needs of individual children and to provide an enhanced quality of education to them.
To what records does the Minister consider parents will have access? Will parents have access to assessments on their children? Will they have access to all tests and reports relating to the performance of their children? Will parents have access to discipline and attendance records? What are the Minister's ideas in this area?
The idea is that parents will have access to all tests and end of terms results particularly at second level. It is already the case at second level that the results of end of term examinations are posted to parents.
The preparation of psychological assessments and reports are dependent on the agreement of parents in the first instance. There is then general engagement between the psychologist, the school and the parents regarding the progress of the child. Regarding access to standard tests and results, parents should have full access to information on how their child is progressing. The behaviour of the child is another feature in that regard. The Bill will statutorily underpin this area.
In line with the spirit of partnership which has been part of the education process and which I am anxious to continue, the regulations must be worked out with the partners after the Bill is passed. I do not foresee many difficulties.
My impression of the school system, which may be misplaced, is that schools are not keeping systematic records at present. Will the Minister put in place an administrative resource to allow schools maintain detailed records of a child's entire school history? Will he provide resources so that schools can give this type of detailed information to parents?
There is a comprehensive information technology resource at second level with regard to school administration and the compilation of data. The intention is to make this available at primary level also. However, I do not accept the position is as bad as the Deputy suggests. I left second level school in 1978 and when I returned to the school recently in my capacity as Minister for Education and Science, it gave me copies of my school reports over five years. The school compiled all my reports from first year which made for interesting reading.
Schools produce reports. I recall butterflies in my stomach almost 20 years ago as I waited for the postman to deliver the dreaded school report at the end of the year. I presume the system has improved since that time in terms of the level of reporting. However, the legislation must deal with school authorities which are deliberately obstructive in some areas and deny parents access to records. It is most important that full access to information is statutorily underpinned but it will not demand the huge level of administrative resources suggested by the Deputy.
As the time for Priority Questions has concluded, Questions Nos. 20 and 21 may be taken in ordinary time.
