ELECTION 2021: Commitment to abolish music tuition fees in schools
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The SNP manifesto will commit to abolishing fees for children to learn a musical instrument at school.
The £18 million commitment to be announced tomorrow (Thursday) will end the postcode lottery which puts music lessons beyond the reach of many families, the party said.
Gordon MP Richard Thomson and Aberdeenshire West candidate Fergus Mutch have challenged Aberdeenshire Council to work with a re-elected SNP Government to ditch existing £328-a-year charges for instrumental tuition in local schools.
Both SNP representatives are keen musicians, with Mr Thomson playing the fiddle and Mr Mutch a piper and trustee of a local performing arts venue.
Mr Mutch said: “I began learning the bagpipes from the age of eight, with lessons from volunteers in the Bucksburn Pipe Band. At that time, there was no tuition at all for our national instrument in schools across the north-east.
“Music has given me so many opportunities and opened doors to travel and work in Greece, Denmark, Spain and Canada.
“It’s impact on kids’ development cannot be overstated — fostering creativity and helping young people to fulfil their potential.
“If the SNP is re-elected to government this May, Aberdeenshire Council should work with them and scrap music tuition charges once and for all.”
Mr Thomson said: “As a child, I was inspired to learn the fiddle by my grandfather, and benefited from the tuition of some fantastic school instrumental teachers along the way.
“There are many life skills to be learned through learning to play an instrument, not least when it comes to self-discipline, being able to work with and learn from others, and the importance of doing things well.
"It’s an opportunity which I strongly believe should be open to everyone, equally, regardless of their family circumstances.
“The sad reality is that more than £300 a year for music tuition is beyond the reach of many households, but the long-term benefit of investing in music tuition is immense.
“I’m delighted to see the SNP recognising the importance of music tuition by making this commitment to Scotland’s young people, and would urge our councils to embrace this opportunity fully.”
