Wendy: 'Cuts are musical madness'

Mar 12 2009 by Alison Rennie, Paisley Daily Express

FED-UP teachers have sounded off over Renfrewshire Council’s plans to cut music tuition from once a week to fortnightly.

The policy, included in the ruling administration’s budget that was approved last month, is designed to save the local authority £143,000.

From Wednesday, April 1, pupils at primary schools and in S1 to S3 classes at secondary schools will receive one lesson a fortnight – halving the music tuition which was available.

The move will also mean the loss of seven jobs.

One music instructor told the Paisley Daily Express: “One half-hour lesson per fortnight, which parents are already paying for, would signal the end of any meaningful instrumental provision in the authority.

“Many parents will feel obliged to seek private tuition. Those who cannot afford this will yet again be marginalised and denied access to the undoubted benefits that music tuition can provide.

“I am a professional musician whose own pathway into a career came through a local authority instructor. My own family could not have afforded private tuition.

“I am profoundly depressed that Renfrewshire Council does not seem to attach any significant value to its own service.”

And a colleague added: “Out of all the instrumental instructors employed by Renfrewshire, at least half will lose their jobs and, as early voluntary retirement and voluntary redundancy is not appropriate to these people who have mortgages to pay and families to support, it looks like it will be compulsory redundancy.”

Paisley North MSP Wendy Alexander has also slammed the council over the music cuts.

She said: “The council’s plans would be a huge step backwards. Any music teacher will tell you “practice makes perfect” and practice means regular lessons.

“Look at the musical talent that has come from Renfrewshire schools. Paolo Nutini is one of the better known products of music tuition in Renfrewshire and he was a regular at school concerts. Renfrewshire school bands and orchestras have been recognised in UK-wide competitions over the years and, almost 30 years ago, I played in the Park Mains School Band alongside percussionist Dougie Vipond, who went on to be Deacon Blue’s drummer.

“In a year when Paisley applied to host the Mod, Scotland’s premier Gaelic music festival, and is committed to becoming Scotland’s Choir Town, these short-sighted, penny-pinching cuts are musical madness.”

However, a council spokesperson defended the move.

“Every council in the country is trying to save money by being more efficient,” said the spokesperson. “The most important issue for the council’s education service is to continue to provide a high level of core teaching, as recognised by the very good inspection reports that our schools continue to receive.

“There are currently 24 music teachers – 16 full-time equivalents – who provide tuition on six different instruments in over 50 schools.

“Music is a labour-intensive subject and we have to see if there are better ways to provide the tuition.”

Ms Alexander is launching a petition against the council’s plans and anyone who would like to support her should send an e-mail to wendy.alexander.msp @scottish.parliament.uk