Parents' representatives have welcomed a High Court decision which may allow school inspectors' reports to be made public for the first time.
In a High Court challenge to a decision by the Information Commissioner to release the reports to The Irish Times, Mr Barney Sheedy, principal of Scoil Choilm, Crumlin, Dublin, had claimed it could lead to the compilation of "league tables" of schools.
However, he lost his case on Thursday, and is understood to be considering whether to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Ms Fionnuala Kilfeather of the National Parents' Council (Primary), said the information was of particular importance to parents of primary school children, as they were faced with making important choices for their children.
"Parents need to be able to compare schools so that they can make the best possible choice for their child," she said.
"At present, most parents have to rely on hearsay, gossip or rumour for information about the performance of schools."
In a strongly worded statement, Ms Kilfeather said the "crude" league tables being talked about by teacher unions were "not an issue".
"The real issue is, and has been, how and where parents are to get accurate information about a school," she said. Parents were entitled to "meaningful information" when choosing a school for their child.
Such information would need to include how a school catered for children of a wide variety of abilities and aptitudes, dropout rates, special needs provision and democracy within the school, she said.
While much was known about inputs into schools, such as resource teachers and special needs assistants, there was "virtually no evidence" of what difference these inputs were making.
Access to the reports would also enable the Minister for Education, the Department of Education, and the public to ensure that the multibillion euro education system was accountable for the service it was providing, she added.
However, Mr John Carr of the INTO yesterday denied any suggestion that its concerns about the decision were an attempt to run away from accountability for schools.
"The INTO believes that teachers are accountable for their work in schools and have always co-operated fully with the school inspection process," he said. "The public has a right to know but equally there are responsibilities to ensure that information is presented accurately and completely."
The Joint Managerial Body (JMB), which represents the management of voluntary secondary schools, last night called on the Department of Education to appeal the High Court decision.
"The publication of these reports is a retrograde step and will have a negative impact on the education system," its general secretary, Mr George O'Callaghan, said. "The publication of inspectors' reports is another step in turning education into a commercial commodity. Schools are not businesses."
The JMB would be seeking an immediate meeting with the Minister to discuss this "serious development".