Shameful music cutbacks

Council education boss Douglas Hutchison took exception to a claim that 24 per cent of pupils receiving music tuition at schools had handed back their instruments after the introduction of £ 200 fees.

“The figure is nearer 12 per cent ” he reckoned.

Well – whatever the correct number is . . . . South Ayrshire Council should be ashamed of it!

How hard hearted do you have to be to hear stories of children in tears returning their instruments – and still do nothing?

It got me thinking of how many poems Robert Burns would have written if he’d had to hand back his quill and ink because his parents couldn’t afford them!

I appreciate cuts have to be made. But if SAC can’t find £ 46,000 without taking violins from children, they’re not doing their job properly.

Show me the salaries and expense accounts for our current councillors – and I’ll show you a saving of £ 46,000 in 46 minutes!

At the very least, the cutbacks should have been phased in.

And children currently with instruments allowed to finish their courses.