David Henderson reports from the SSTA conference in Aviemore and the NASUWT conference in Seamill
THE families of pupils who want to learn to play music must dig out “a staggering pound;267.25” a year for tuition in Clackmannanshire, Ken Calder told the conference.
Eight authorities charged more than pound;100 a year while one in four charged nothing. “There is no level playing field in methods of payment and most local authorities demand an entire term upfront,” Mr Calder said.
Even where pupils were given a 50 per cent discount, that still left pound;133 to find. “This deprives pupils in deprived areas,” he said.
Some pupils had stopped taking music in S3 because of the costs while others did not begin sooner.
Mr Calder called on ministers to phase out charges and extend the one-year guarantee of music tuition beyond primary pupils.
ScotlandPlus, page 4
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