The Independent Society of Musicians (ISM) has criticised the Department for Education over its plans to slash the overall number of music hubs to a third of the current number as part of the refreshed NPME.
The ISM voiced concerns over a lack of rationale for the restructure in a letter to Schools Minister Nick Gibb, also saying that it is unclear as to how the new hub structure will provide better access to music education for young people.
Criticisms were also made that funding has been ‘static’, there may be an increased workload for existing music hubs, and schools are still under no obligation to engage with music hubs.
‘We’re raising these concerns directly with the Minister in charge because the Music Hub Investment Programme has been shrouded in secrecy and the sector has never been given a clear justification for the reinvestment process,’ said ISM chief executive Deborah Annetts.
‘At the centre of this process are children and young people whose music provision is at stake and music teachers who deliver brilliant music education for their students, and who now face the worrying prospect of being placed at risk of redundancy in the coming months. I look forward to receiving the answers from Minister Gibb that our children and young people and music education workforce deserve.’
Read the letter in full on the ISM website.
