Highland music tuition fees to be waived in next school year
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A plan to waive music tuition fees in the next school year will hit the right note with pupils in the Highlands.
The change is the result of a funding package being introduced as part of the Scottish Government’s First Steps document to abolish fees for instrumental music tuition in its first 100 days.
Ian Ross, chairman of High Life Highland, described the move as positive and a recognition of the vital role music can play in the learning and development of children and young people.
But he added: "It is crucial that the music tuition service we delivered to the 3700 pupils on behalf of Highland Council pre-pandemic is sustained and protected throughout and beyond this current initiative.
"We will be working with colleagues in the authority to ensure they are supplied with all the information they need to enable them to feed back to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities [COSLA] and the Scottish Government as to any broader implication of the new policy."
Councillor John Finlayson, Highland Council's education committee chairman, said: "We recognise the great service the many High Life Highland music instructors deliver across our Highland schools. The council’s charity led the way in Scotland during the pandemic, ensuring many children and young people were able to continue with remotely delivered music tuition throughout the various lockdown stages.
"Highland Council has received confirmation from the Scottish Government that it is committed to working with local authorities to develop a model for a long-term sustainable instrumental tuition service, which includes the ongoing funding arrangements. I understand that officials from the Scottish Government and COSLA are working together to consider the intent and impact of the free music tuition in schools."
He added: "Music is a major part of both our Highland and Scottish culture, and it is important that as many of our school pupils as possible get the opportunity to learn an instrument. Therefore we will work with the board and officers of High Life Highland to ensure that music tuition continues to be delivered to a very high standard, and remains accessible to Highland children and young people, while supplying Scottish Government and COSLA colleagues with any information required as part of their impact assessments."
The new policy has been set out to cover the cost of both music tuition and instrument hire. Highland pupils have never been charged for the use of musical instruments.
Over the next few weeks, High Life Highland will be contacting the families of school pupils to advise them that their music tuition fees are being waived for the 2021/22 academic year.
