Campaigners have again raised concerns about the way music teaching classes are being delivered across Scotland.

It follows the announcement that East Ayrshire Council is considering transferring its children’s benefit to an independent leisure trust.

Intervene

Campaigners are now calling on Scottish Government Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth of the SNP to intervene as they argue the plan, which has now been approved by councillors, is potentially illegal and could have serious impacts on more than 13 full-time equivalent jobs.

The Scotsman newspaper reported that the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) union also condemned the decision to “privatise” the service.

They claimed it had been “pushed forward with little or no meaningful consultation” and would “completely alter the employment status” of the instructors.

Legality

The question of legality would center on whether local authorities are obliged to provide music classes under the current education law.

The council stated that it had reviewed the legal position and insisted that provision through the East Ayrshire Leisure Trust set up in 2013 would see the service being provided “in our name” as provision to younger pupils was deemed “not mandatory”.

Well-known activist Alastair Orr described the distinction as an “intellectually incoherent position”, and that all music teaching in schools should be considered “education” under the law, regardless of the age or stage of the pupils.4BR

Incoherent

The Scotsman newspaper reported that well-known campaigner Alastair Orr described the distinction as an “intellectually incoherent position” and that all music teaching in schools should be considered “education” under the law, regardless of the age or stage of the pupils.

However, East Ayrshire Council leader Douglas Reid was reported as saying: “In the current financial climate, it is important that we are receptive to new ways of delivering services, to help us better preserve resources and assets to improve the overall leisure and wellness experience.”

Own decisions

Meanwhile, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government has transformed the teaching of instrumental music in Scotland’s schools by funding councils to eradicate unfair charges for music teaching.

“It is up to individual councils to make decisions about their own provision.”