Opportunities for music making in schools have been greatly reduced by the pandemic, a report finds
There is “genuine cause for alarm” over the impact of the Covid crisis on music education in schools, a report finds.
The study compiled by the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) says music is facing an “unprecedented crisis” with singing, instrumental tuition, clubs and concerts all badly affected, The Guardian reports.
In a survey carried out by ISM, 68 per cent of primary school teachers and 39 per cent of secondary school teachers reported a reduction in music provision because of the pandemic.
Many schools have ditched music lessons entirely, while some lessons “contained no practical music-making”.
Extracurricular musical activities have been discontinued in nearly three-quarters of UK primaries and two-thirds of secondaries.
Deborah Annetts, the ISM’s chief executive, said: “We are disappointed but not surprised to discover that music provision is being reduced in our schools as a direct result of the pandemic, with opportunities for pupils to make and create music becoming severely limited both in and out of the classroom.
“It is vital that every child can access a quality music education. Therefore there needs to be sustained and meaningful leadership across all levels of government, actively encouraging safe music teaching in schools and in the wider community. We need to see clear, timely and consistent guidance across all four nations for the rest of the 2020/21 academic year, and beyond, so that music education is not disrupted further.”
