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.