The EIS recently called on the Cabinet Secretary for Education to intervene to protect school instrumental music tuition, in light of East Ayrshire Council’s plans to remove its instrumental music service from education and outsource it to an arm’s length trust.

The EIS is concerned that if implemented, the Council’s plans will fundamentally undermine key Scottish Government manifesto commitments to raise the status of instrumental music tuition as a key element of education and to remove barriers to access provision.

In a letter to the Cabinet Secretary, Anne Keenan, Assistant Secretary (Education and Equality) outlined the EIS position, saying, “The EIS is concerned that the proposed removal (of the service from the Education department) will impact on the continued equitable access to tuition, particularly for the most vulnerable learners, who should benefit most from the removal of tuition charges.

“The experience of our members is that where instrumental music tuition has been transferred to trusts in other jurisdictions, the introduction of fees quickly follows.”

She went on to warn of the educational impact of the proposed changes: “The persistence of East Ayrshire Council (EAC) in categorising instrumental music tuition as ‘extra-curricular’, falling within Leisure and Culture, fails to recognise the professionalism and extent of the role which IMTs play.

“The proposed removal of the service from education to a leisure trust further dilutes the educational focus of this key service for children and young people, contrary to the policy direction set by the Scottish Government nationally.”

On contractual issues, Ms Keenan highlights that the proposals, “Undermine nationally agreed collective bargaining arrangements and could result in a situation where a group of staff currently covered by SNCT terms and conditions are treated differently to their colleagues across Scotland.”

Calling on the Cabinet Secretary to intervene, Ms Keenan cautions, “It is clear that the proposed transfer of East Ayrshire IMS to an arm’s length trust, by an SNP-led Council, will jeopardise implementation of the Scottish Government’s manifesto commitments, effectively privatising a key aspect of Scottish education and thwarting plans for the continued roll-out of equitable access to free instrumental music provision for all children and young people.”