Circular 31/82
A District Inspector has independent responsibility for the inspection of the schools in her/his district and for the assessment of the work of the teachers, under the direction and supervision of the Divisional Inspector. In order to do this, inspectors need to be well acquainted with the work of the schools in their districts and with the local circumstances which influence the work of both teachers and pupils. Inspectors
familiarise themselves with the work of the schools through observing the interaction between teachers and pupils and through taking and examining classes themselves.
The Divisional Inspector has a responsibility to maintain an appropriate standard in the inspectors’ estimates of the work of teachers serving in the districts of her/his division. To this end, s/he normally inspects schools annually in every district of her/his division and confers with the inspectors in charge.
Incidental Visits
Incidental visits to schools are an essential part of the inspector’s work. The purpose of these visits is to enable inspectors to acquaint themselves with the work of individual teachers and of schools as a whole, to give the teachers the benefit of their assistance and advice, to encourage innovation, and to suggest suitable remedies for defects observed in teaching methods.
Where an inspector visits a school for a specific purpose, other than that normally comprehended in an incidental visit, s/he usually states the reason for such visit. The principal teacher, or any other teacher concerned, may inquire from the inspector as to the purpose of a visit at any time.
In the course of visits to schools, the inspector keeps its general organisation under review and arranges to give the principal teacher any help and advice s/he may need in carrying out the responsibilities and duties specified in the appendix to Circular 16/1973 and in The Primary School Curriculum.
The inspector may also examine records of pupils’ progress and discuss with the teachers their preparation for work based on their professional judgement. The co-operation of teachers is required in connection with the assessment of their work but, in the case of probated teachers, it is not necessary to depart from the class timetable to teach a specific lesson.
