Mr Monteith said inspections put teachers under huge pressure

Brian Monteith said he could not find any occasion when HM Inspectorate of Education had been called before the parliament to explain its work.

The independent MSP also criticised some aspects of HMIE's work.

However, the deputy education minister said the education committee and ministers have "regular dialogue" with Graham Donaldson, the head of HMIE.

The comments were made during a debate in parliament.

The mid Scotland and Fife MSP said he had visited schools in his area after inspections.

The inspection system is a world leader Robert Brown Deputy Education Minister

"One finds that teachers, head teachers, have gone through quite a trying experience which can be very testing and put them under a great deal of pressure," he said.

"And of course it can lead to a number of changes in schools."

He said he signed up to the idea of an inspectorate, believing it would lead to an inspection at some point during every child's journey through primary and secondary school.

However, he raised concerns about accountability of the watchdog because it had not appeared before parliament.

"That's the sort of accountability this parliament should be about," he said.

Fiona Hyslop said Mr Monteith's views were "out of date"

Deputy Education Minister Robert Brown said: "The inspection system is a world leader and is highly regarded on the international stage.

"HMIE regularly contributes to thinking about quality improvements in countries across the world, most recently in the Czech Republic and Chile."

The SNP's Fiona Hyslop, a member of the education committee, also rejected Mr Monteith's comments.

"In many respects he's out of date and out of time in regards to what is happening in terms of inspections and the role of HMIE in relation to this parliament," she said.

The Lothians MSP said that in the period 2002 to 2009, all Scottish primary and secondary schools will have been inspected.

Class sizes

Ms Hyslop said schools should not be "living in fear" of a visit by inspectors but there should more of a culture of peer assessment and self-assessment.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, the Conservative education spokesman, said the inspectors were highly qualified professionals.

However, he said that as well as discussing the role of HMIE, MSPs must also consider how education services should be managed in the future.