A new report claims the quality of teaching, learning and assessment in primary and secondary schools is not directly linked to the size of the institution.

The study has been produced by the Department of Education's inspectorate and is set to form part of the small primary schools value-for-money review.

Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn claimed the report is not designed to be an attack on less-sizeable academic establishments, but rather a tool to help with the debate over their place in future teaching.

Mr Quinn sought to reassure individuals such schools will not be overlooked, stating: "I recognise that small schools are an important part of the social fabric of rural communities and they will continue to be a major feature of our education landscape."

Earlier this year, the minister's suggestion of amalgamating primary establishments where class sizes are particularly small was criticised by director of the Irish Primary Principals Network Sean Cottrell.

Written by Donal Walsh

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