Established 1847 'for the promotion of Sound Learning'
News Release
EIS LAUNCHES CHARTER FOR CHILDREN'S RIGHT TO LEARN MUSIC
The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has launched a new Charter for Instrumental Music, which aims to promote and support music education in Scotland's schools. The new Charter, published today, will be sent to every school in Scotland to support the vital work of Instrumental Music Teachers across Scotland. As local authorities across Scotland struggle to balance their budgets, it is vital that core music education services are maintained in schools. The new EIS Charter highlights the value of music education to pupils, and calls for proper support and funding for its provision in all schools.
Commenting on the launch of the Charter, EIS General Secretary Ronnie Smith said, “The EIS believes that every child should have the right to learn to play a music instrument and to develop their ability to sing. Developing an understanding of music is beneficial to pupils in many ways, and can have a profound effect on the personal and social development of children. Through instrumental music instruction, pupils can learn how to work both as an individual and as part of a larger group. This can have a positive effect on their social skills and on their self-confidence and overall personal development. Learning to make music allows pupils to take pride in their accomplishments and provides them with skills that will be applicable to many other areas of their everyday lives both now and in the future.”
Mr Smith added, “Scotland has produced many great musicians through the years, who have gone on to perform at all levels in a diverse range of musical genres. Many have spoken of the major impact that instrumental music tuition in schools had on their lives and their careers. It is vital that we do everything that we can to maintain Scotland's rich musical heritage and that the funding is secured to ensure that qualified instrumental music teachers are an integral part of our children's musical education.”
Explaining the work undertaken by instrumental music teachers in schools, Mr Smith said, “Music education embeds the four capacities at the centre of the Curriculum for Excellence throughout its structures. Through music, education allows pupils to develop as Successful Learners, Confident Individuals, Respo
nsible Citizens and Effective Contributors. The lessons learned through music education and instrumental instruction can be applied in many other areas of a child's education, as well as in many aspects of their lives outside of school. It is extremely important that the Scottish Government and local authorities commit to properly funding the further development of instrumental music teaching across Scotland, so that all young people have an equal opportunity to learn about music and develop their own personal skills. We believe that every child, no matter where they live, should have an equal right to receive proper music education that can nurture their own particular musical talents.”
Mr Smith added, “It is also important that instrumental music teachers should receive the same level of support and continuing professional development opportunities that class teachers already have access to. Professional registration for all instrumental music teachers with the teachers' professional body, the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), would acknowledge the status of instrumental music teachers and help to encourage continuing high standards in all music education settings across Scotland. Scotland's pupils deserve the best opportunities that we can provide, and a high-quality music education service, led by professional instrumental music teachers, is a key development where the benefits for pupils are significant and long-lasting.”
EIS Charter for Instrumental Music (pdf) (1.54 mb)
For further information, please contact Brian Cooper, e-mail: bcooper@eis.org.uk
For information on the work of Instrumental Music Teachers, contact Mark Traynor, e-mail: mjtraynor@gmail.com