Anna Sabine MP warns of “dusty music instruments” in school cupboards
Anna Sabine MP warns of “dusty music instruments” in school cupboards
Speaking during Department for Culture, Media and Sport questions today, Liberal Democrat spokesperson Anna Sabine urged the Government to commit to providing more music teachers in schools.
Highlighting figures showing that around 50,000 children in the UK are missing out on music education, Sabine, a member of the Music Education All-Party Parliamentary Group, said the Government must deliver proper provision for pupils, including the teachers needed to make music education work in practice.
She warned that cuts to Music PGCE bursaries have worsened the shortage of specialist teachers, serving only to “exacerbate an already serious problem”. While welcoming the Government’s recent announcement of £25 million for musical instruments in schools, Sabine cautioned that without teachers to deliver lessons, many of those instruments risk being “left to collect dust in storage cupboards.”
Responding, DCMS Minister Lisa Nandy said she was working to “put music education once again at the heart of the offer for young people,” adding that she would “have more to say very shortly” on the future of the music education programme raised by Sabine.
Speaking afterwards, Anna Sabine said:
“I’m passionate about music education and frustrated that the Government continues to announce policies that sound good in a headline but don’t work in practice. Funding instruments is welcome, but learning isn’t just about equipment - it’s about teaching.”
“Teachers inspire children every day. Without them, music education simply doesn’t happen, and it’s critical the Government recognises their central role.”
Anna’s full question is below:
Data suggests that around 50,000 children are not getting the music education they deserve, and the cuts to the Music PGCE bursaries are going to exacerbate the problem. So while £25m worth of musical instruments announced by DCMS are left to collect dust in storage cupboards, what discussions is the Minister having with DfE to ensure we have the teachers to teach the musicians of the future?
