Question in the Scottish Parliament on Instrumental Tuition

Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Con):
Given the serious concerns that have been expressed by the Education and Skills Committee and by members in the chamber, does the First Minister agree that it is deeply worrying that Dumfries and Galloway Council is planning to axe all instrumental tuition in schools for pupils who are not sitting Scottish Qualifications Authority exams? Will she urgently raise the issue with her Scottish National Party colleagues in the council administration?

The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon):
The Government has made its view clear—in particular, the education secretary has made his view clear—on music tuition. We strongly encourage all local authorities to maintain their music tuition and not to reduce it. That goes for Dumfries and Galloway Council, as it does for other local authorities across the country.