A meeting of the EIS Instrumental Music Teachers (IMT) Network,
held online today (Tuesday), has expressed serious concerns over
the impact of COVID-19 on the provision of instrumental music
tuition in schools across Scotland. IMTs currently have limited
access to schools as a result of COVID protection measures, with
arrangements for the delivery of online provision varying
significantly across the country, the reductions in provision
causing concern around young people’s access to instrumental
music, and about workload and job security for instrumental music
teachers.
Amongst the key issues highlighted by IMTs in today’s meeting
were:
- “In our authority, we are currently only able to teach in one
school per day, meaning that pupils are receiving tuition far
less frequently”.
- “At present, we are not allowed in schools at all. We may get
into High Schools next week, on a one school per day basis.
Currently all tuition is delivered online, which is far from
ideal.”
- “We don’t currently have permission for online lessons. We
have no idea when we will see our pupils again, or even when we
will be able to teach them online. We have pupils on SQA courses
who are scheduled to sit exams next year, and we can’t teach them
at the moment.”
- “The current situation is unfair on SQA pupils in schools
where there is currently no IMT provision allowed. This is
placing these pupils at a significant disadvantage.”
- “Instrumental music teachers are basically in the dark
regarding SQA courses – it is still not clear what we are
expected to be delivering for young people under the current
arrangements.”
Commenting, EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, “It is
clear that Instrumental Music Teachers are frustrated by their
current lack of access to schools, and the impact on the
provision of instrumental music tuition for pupils. IMTs are
particularly concerned about the impact on young people who are
currently studying for SQA music qualifications and who may be
receiving no instrumental tuition at all. The picture across the
country is extremely mixed.”
He continued, “In addition to concerns over the educational
impact on students, IMTs are concerned over their wellbeing and
the need to balance providing the service, and earning an income,
while protecting their own – and their students’ – health. There
is also a legitimate concern that the current crisis could lead
to fewer students learning music, with serious implications for
the future of the instrumental music service and for IMT jobs.”
Mr Flanagan added, “Clearly, the health and wellbeing of pupils
and staff must remain the top priority, and appropriate COVID
safety measures require to be put in place. Our IMT members have
highlighted concerns over a need for larger and better ventilated
rooms for IMT provision, for the safety of pupils and staff.
There is also a need for adequate provision for handwashing and
physical distancing, and a requirement for risk assessments to
take specific account of the requirements of Instrumental Music
Provision.”
