The majority of second-level students favour continuous assessment over terminal examinations, a new survey says.

Most of the third- and fourth-year students in Dublin North Central surveyed by Fine Gael said the fairest way to judge their performance was through an assessment of their work and projects during the year. Some 60 per cent said this was preferable to the assessment given by the Junior and Leaving Certificate examinations.

The survey was carried out by the party's education spokesman, Mr Richard Bruton TD, with a sample of 130 students.

A majority also said there should be "independent evaluation" of teachers' performance. Some 85 per cent favoured parents having the right to information on a school's exam performance - the survey did not ask their views on exam "league tables".

Mr Bruton said the sample - if its results could be applied throughout the State - meant students favoured a "radical shake-up of the education system".

The survey also included questions on the subject of substance abuse. It found that while 56 per cent of students said they believed education programmes gave young people accurate information about the risks associated with drug use, some 69 per cent said such programmes did not reduce the demand for drugs.

Some 75 per cent said they would support a drug treatment centre in their areas.

"The views of the students on reform in the examination system are timely," Mr Bruton said.

"The recent Points Commission report opened up the possibility of reform. However, there is no evidence of any serious commitment by the Minister to pursue the option of school-based assessment more vigorously."