Music Mark, the UK association for music education, has drawn up a list of six actions points which is intends to present to all political parties ahead of the general election this year.
The aim is to make the case to any new UK government that it should understand the value of music education and appreciate the positive impact music can have on health, wellbeing, academic achievement and soft skills.
Music Mark claims that current government policy and levels of investment are insufficient for the music education sector to ensure all children and young people benefit from musical learning.
The six calls to action, developed in consultation with Music Mark’s membership and sector partners, are as follows:
- Government investment must be sustained and keep pace with both its ambition and inflation.
- Music Education must be understood, valued and financially supported by stakeholders in all schools.
- There must be a universal understanding that music education does not start at 5 or finish at 18.
- Priority must be placed on the recruitment and retention of classroom music teachers.
- Instrumental & Vocal Teachers must be recognised, valued and be an integrated part of the education workforce.
- Government must work with the Commercial Music Industry to co-invest in musical learning.
The proposed commitments form part of a freely available document outlining the current state of UK music education. The document is also intended as an advocacy resource for those who talk to MPs, local councillors and other key decision-makers.
