The Association of Secondary School Teachers says the increase in school inspections is a welcome opportunity to highlight the lack of resources in schools.

The Irish Independent reports that despite cutbacks in staffing levels in the Department of Education, the number of inspections in schools has risen with 954 inspections at primary level last year - almost one-third of the 3,000 schools - and 754 inspections at second level.

Ongoing reforms are increasing the number of visits and follow-ups to ensure recommendations are implemented.

A published report of these inspections reveals that there is a gaelscoil where there was inaccuracy in spoken Irish, schools not teaching pupils sex education and schools not meeting the requirement for a minimum 28 hours of tuition time each week.

Pat King, General Secretary of the ASTI, Pat King, says problems identified during inspections will be sorted out by the schools in question:

Meanwhile, the ASTI has snubbed Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan by not inviting her to their annual Easter conference.

Originally posted at 9.39am