The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Music teachers in Perth and Kinross held a concert to raise money to help low income families who have been hit by a recent price hike in tuition costs.
Council’s decision to hike costs hits sour note with residents and education experts
Perth and Kinross residents have joined those opposing a decision to increase music tuition costs, with one claiming it is “robbing the poor to give to the rich”.
The council agreed the 60% rise over the next three years in its budget earlier this year, with the first 20% implemented in August. But the move has sparked a huge backlash.
The Perth and Kinross Music Foundation has claimed the hike could make Perth a “musical vacuum”, and more than 1,000 people have signed a petition seeking a rethink.
They have now been joined by residents who are angry about the move.
One resident, who wished not to be named and called himself a “former educationalist,” said he was “at a loss” to understand the council’s reasoning.
“This will make instrumental tuition only affordable to the most affluent families,” he said. “The council has already increased charges for this year by 20%, but even more ludicrous is its plan to increase prices by 20% next year, followed by another 20% in 2020.
“This will make the tuition cost for young musicians in Perth and Kinross in excess of £1,000 – by far the most expensive in Scotland.” He also feels pupils in Perth and Kinross are being hit unnecessarily.
“In Dundee, pupils receive their instrumental music tuition totally free. Will Perth and Kinross Council just keep on robbing the poor to give to the rich?”
George Reid, of Bridge of Earn, said: “Not only will this move result in a massive negative impact on all pupil attainment it will, shamefully, have most effect on pupils from less wealthy backgrounds.
“Anyone reading last year’s Improvement Service Report commissioned by the Scottish Government, will be able to see how many other local authorities are investing much more in the future of young pupils through music,” he said.
Andrew Mitchell, spokesman for the Perth and Kinross Music Foundation (PKMF) has said a major future concern is a fall in applications from new families.
Leila Trainer, whose father Louis Barnett co-founded Perth Youth Orchestra in 1962 said the price hike will plunge the Perth music scene back into the “limbo” of the late 1940s.
A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said: “Additional funding to support this service was provided in the local authority’s budget on a nonrecurring basis.
“This money is being used to help extend the reach of the service further than at present. Any savings or changes to charges for services are considered by elected members as part of the statutory budget setting process.”
Meanwhile, a weekend concert by the Perth and Kinross’ Instrumental Music Service in St John’s Episcopal Church, Perth raised £800 for the PKMF.
It will result in a massive negative impact on all pupil attainment. GEORGE REID