Abstract
Since the HMI (Her Majesty's Inspector) system was established in 1839, the government has made the most of it as its 'eyes and ears' in order to carry out various educational matters efficiently. Today, HMI's enjoy professional independence from the government and provide advisory services both for schools and the government. The HMI system, however, is subject to the reform of the whole educational system and some people even say that it should be abolished. A new system of inspection by registered inspectors (RGI) has also been introduced, and so on. This paper aims at clarifying the historical principles governing the activities of HMI's and analyzes actual circumstances of modern changes, details of strengthened functions of HMI's and conditions of their independence. Finally, it makes some comments on current reform trends in the HMI system. The contents of this paper are as follows: 1. Historical characteristics and some aspects of the changing process of HMI functions 2. Points at issue in the HMI system and strengthened power of HMI's in the 1980's 3. Tendencies and problems involved in reforming HMI activities today In this paper, the following points are made: First, HMI's have enjoyed independence, which means the freedom to report their finding to the government using their own judgement without external control. They have, however, been given an additional role as advisers who can exercise political judgement helpful to the government. Second, though HMI's faced a risk of abolition in the early 1980's, their power and authority was re-established by the Rayner Report of 1983. Since then HMI reports have often influenced educational policies, and HMI's have come to have enlightened roles for both schools and the government. Third, as compromise and diversities have traditionally been seen in developments of the HMI system, it tends to be influenced by imperceptible factors such as its 150-year tradition or its prestige. The function of HMI's has been influenced by various educational policies, but they have enjoyed stable independence. However, it can be foreseen that such independence of HMI's will likely be changed under today's rapid reforms. This paper also describes some developments recent reforms of the HMI system introduced by the OFSTED (the Office for Standards of Education), and points out that closer co-operation between HMI's and LEA advisers is coming to be of crucial importance. It seems, therefore, that we have to pay continual attention to these tendencies.
