Music Industries Association Expresses Concern About Cuts To Music Education
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Monday, 24 January 2011 |
Written by Jon Stickler
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The Music Industries Association, MIA, has expressed concern about pre-emptive action now being taken by local authorities to cut back on music services and music teaching provision across the country. This appears to be happening despite a statement made by the Government in December last year that they expect to ‘continue to provide funding’ for music education.
In particular, the MIA has learned that:
34% of Music Services surveyed have been issued at risk or Section 188 notices
Increasing numbers of Local Authorities (LA’s) are ceasing to fund Music Services as they are non-statutory, and those LA’s that are continuing to fund them are reducing their contributions.
There is a move away from full and part-time contracts to self employment and hourly paid work in order to reduce cost.
Most Music Services are awaiting decisions from central government before confirming their plans for 2011/2012 or beyond.
Paul McManus, Chief Executive of the MIA, had this to say: “We are extremely concerned about these actions that are clearly being taken even before we know the recommendations to be made following the review of music education being undertaken by Darren Henley, which is not yet published. Music services are an important and proven mechanism for delivering high-quality education and training to schools and can achieve more than individual schools can on their own.
“In addition, we are conscious of the statement made by the Secretary of State for Education last year, when he made it clear that the Government ‘expected to continue to provide funding’ despite the fact that current grants are ending. He re-stated his ‘commitment to improving music education’ and drew attention to the Henley Review of Music Education.”
The UK economy, through its creative industries, benefits significantly from music, with over 130,000 people employed actively in the making, performing, recording and distributing of music contributing nearly £5bns to the economy annually. And just as importantly, music develops creativity and contributes uniquely to raising attainment in literacy and numeracy and is therefore a key part of a broad and balanced school curriculum.
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