Doubling of school music fees hits sour note

The cost of music tuition in Clackmannanshire schools is to more than double as a result of last week’s budget meeting.

The schedule of savings put before councillors and approved on Thursday included a‘full cost recovery’for non Scottish Qualifications Authority music tuition of £69,090 in the coming financial year and £41,454 in 2019/20, a total of £110,544.

It will mean that full fees will now cost £17.45 per lesson, amounting to £524 per annum, for kids learning instruments like trumpet, violin, flute, guitar, bagpipes and drums.

The cost was previously £258.50 per year (10 instalments of £25.85).

Concessions will remain for those in receipt of housing benefit or income support. The 2017/2018 concession rate amounted to £117.50 per year (10 instalments of £11.75)

A Forth Valley area music teacher told the Observer:“This will affect the majority of children receiving music tuition in Clackmannanshire schools.

“It is a disgraceful and shameful decision by Clackmannanshire Council. It will put music tuition beyond the reach of almost every family in the county.

“It sends entirely the wrong message on culture. Not only in education in the Forth Valley area but culturally to the rest of Scotland.”

Clackmannanshire Council’s education spokesperson Graham Lindsay said: “This budget will ensure that music tuition will continue for all through a remodelled funding programme to help maximise income.

“Increased group sizes will ensure that waiting lists are reduced and result in a 56 per cent increase in income to help cover the cost of the programme.

“Although there will be an increase in fees for those who pay the normal rate, this cost will remain below standard private tuition fees. As a result of this additional income, concession rates for those on lower incomes will be maintained at the same rate and those on SQA courses will continue to access fully subsidised music tuition.”