A lot of schools don't seem to have a library . . .but of course, they all plan one soon. And one school has an art room cluttered with old projects but no doubt they'll have a clear-out. There is some mention (but no criticism) of the underfunding in the system. It just means those hardworking teachers have to spend too much time supporting pupils because the waiting lists for psychological and counselling services are so long.

While it's a start that inspection reports of our schools are finally being published, the trouble is these half-truths are no better than the crude league tables of Leaving Certificate results that the department refuses to publish.

Parents know they have one chance to get it right with their children's schools and they want to make the right decision for their child. They do not want to be disappointed and have to change mid-school because of the damage that can be done, not just to a child's academic achievements but also to their friendships.

That is why they need an evaluation report based on both a school's philosophy and ambitions and on its performance. If we channel our children's life chances through the narrow funnel of Leaving Cert points, then surely it is not too much to expect that the schools themselves be judged by those same criteria.

Such an evaluation would highlight what's good in our schools, but also expose what's bad because it will become clear that under-funding and poor facilities can lead to poor results. It could help parents, pupils and teachers build a better system.

What we got last week . . . and apparently will continue to get until 2019, which is the time it will take to inspect all the country's schools . . . is a case of the bland leading the blind.