Music education under fire

Press, 2 December 1982, Page 26

Music education under fire

“Gross.inadequacies" have been found in music education at South Island schools by a survey conducted by the Southern Regional Arts Council. “The results indicate some gross inadequacies, and point up particularly the severe disadvantage of primary school children in rural areas." said the council's chairman. Mr Brett Riley. More than 500 schools were surveyed after an earlier investigation found inconsistencies in the availability of music education. The survey found that while about 46 per cent of city primary schools had part-time music teachers, only 24 per cent of rural schools had them. About the same small proportion of each — mainly private schools — had fulltime teachers. The range of music tuition available to rural primary school children was found to be much narrower than that available to city children. "Secondary rural pupils are similarly disadvantaged but not to such a marked degree," said a report on the survey. The council is recommending that, “some theoretical knowledge plus a working knowledge of an instrument . . . be a suitable prerequisite

for primary teacher trainees.

"This council firmly believes that teaching music, as well as the other arts, must be a responsibility of the school system and available to all children," said Mr Riley. It wants the Education Department's itinerant music system, in which music teachers visit schools, to be extended to rural schools. Where itinerant teachers

are not available, the council suggests employing private music teachers. It also wants the music broadcasts to schools, and the Education Department's contribution to the Performers in Schools Scheme, to be reinstated.

Copies of the council's report, have been sent to departmental offices and to the Minister of Education. Mr Wellington.