Pat Upton
Ceist:188 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education if an inspector of general subjects at post primary level in Munster is also responsible for assessment of science subjects and extra curricular activities.
Vol. 430 No. 5
188 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education if an inspector of general subjects at post primary level in Munster is also responsible for assessment of science subjects and extra curricular activities.
My Department's post primary inspectors are subject specialists rather than inspectors of general subjects. In the course of their inspections they concentrate particularly on their specific subject areas. They may, however, observe and report on the quality of the overall educational provision in schools. This general monitoring role allows them to identify problems that may require specialist intervention.
189 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education the numbers of inspectors for post primary schools for physics, chemistry, biology, agricultural science, building construction, technical drawing, engineering workshop, that is, theory and practice, Irish, English, History, Geography, modern language and other subjects.
My Department's postprimary inspectors are allocated to subject areas as follows:
Science (including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Science) — 5 inspectors
Technical Studies (including Building Construction, Technical Drawing, Engineering)— 8 inspectors
Irish— 4.5 inspectors*
English— 5 inspectors
Social Studies (including History and Geography) — 5 inspectors
Modern Languages— 5.5 inspectors*
Business Studies— 4 inspectors
Mathematics— 3 inspectors
Home Economics— 3 inspectors
Physical Education— 4 inspectors
Art— 3 inspectors
Music— 1 inspector
*One inspector shared between Irish and French.