SCOTLAND’S largest teaching union has raised serious concerns that the growing practice of charging for music tuition is having a direct effect on pupil participation and on equity of provision.

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has published a new briefing highlighting the stark challenges facing instrumental teaching in Scotland’s schools during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The union recently surveyed its instrumental music teachers, who warned of inconsistency in the delivery of teaching across Scotland. Many teachers providing music tuition said they have been left unable to return to schools safely and left to develop online teaching with insufficient resources and support. 

The survey also found teachers fearing for their working future, with concerns over a reduction in tuition due to the increasing costs, meaning fewer jobs available. 

While non-charging local authorities have seen pupil numbers rise by almost a third since 2012-13, charging authorities have had an overall decline of 12.7 per cent in uptake over the same period.

Councils in 27 areas have now introduced some form of charging, leaving only five local authorities where there are no costs associated with music lessons.

The EIS has said the combination of the pandemic and rising fees, which exceed £300 annually in some areas, will have a damaging impact on pupils, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “Scotland is rapidly moving towards a scenario where only children from well-off families can learn to play an instrument. 

“This is unjust and unacceptable. 

“We must reverse the trend of charging to allow free access to music education for all, particularly those for whom the poverty-related attainment gap has widened as a result of Covid-19.”