The publication of detailed lists of where third-level colleges get their students has drawn a huge response from schools and parents. Many principals believe such statistics damage the educational system.
Others have welcomed the publication, arguing that the lists illustrate what one inner-city principal in Dublin has called "educational apartheid".
No fair-minded person could argue that these lists provide a complete picture of a school's performance. There is much more to a good school than strong Leaving Cert results. For all that, for every conscientious parent, selecting where to send their child represents one of the key decisions they will make. They want to choose a school where their child will be given an opportunity to develop their social, sporting and other skills. But they want to be reassured, too, that their child will achieve his or her full academic potential.
The lists being published by The Irish Times as part of a series which began yesterday and will run through next week are made available under the Freedom of Information Act. The publication of fully-fledged league tables is prohibited under the Education Act. Recently, the Minister for Education and Science, Mr Dempsey, signalled his intention to amend the legislation which he says has created an "information vacuum". His plan is to introduce league tables which present a more rounded picture of all aspects of school performance. This might include exam results but it would also detail the enrolment policies adopted by various schools, the level of access for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, the provision for students with special needs and the nature of the schools' links with local business and the community.
All of this would be welcome. But for now, the public must make do with lists which provide valuable information, if not the full picture. However, half a loaf is better than none at all.
In an important and related case yesterday, the High Court upheld a decision by the Information Commissioner to release reports prepared by the Department of Education Inspectorate on a Dublin primary school. The Irish Times sought the information under the Freedom of Information Act but the request was refused by the Department. That decision was subsequently overturned by the Information Commissioner. The High Court ruled yesterday against a school principal who had sought to prohibit publication. It found that the principal in question had failed to establish that any adverse impact would result from publication.
This is a landmark ruling which will make valuable information about schools available to the public. The challenge facing Mr Dempsey is to respond to the spirit of this ruling and to the seemingly insatiable public demand for such information. The education system needs to become more accountable to parents and to the public. The Minister must move quickly to fill the information vacuum at the heart of Irish education.