Before the March 2023 election, NSW Labor made a firm commitment to advancing the long-term objective of providing high-quality, sequential, and ongoing music education in NSW schools. This commitment was reinforced by two key initiatives: the establishment of a parliamentary inquiry aimed at delivering quality music education and a funding contribution towards an ACER designed survey of NSW primary teachers, to gather and analyse baseline data on access to music education, including its provision in government primary schools.
On 4 June 2024, the NSW Parliament endorsed the Labor Government’s motion to establish a Joint Select Committee on Arts and Music Education and Training. The sector as a whole is encouraged not only by the government’s commitment to this inquiry but also by the cross-party support for high-quality music education. We are particularly heartened that the focus of the inquiry is not on re-establishing the importance of music education, but rather on determining the steps necessary to ensure its delivery in NSW schools.
In her speech introducing the motion, The Hon. Emily Suvaal articulated a compelling vision in the Legislative Council, stating: “Every child and adult has the right to education and to opportunities that ensure full and harmonious development and engagement in cultural and artistic life. It is critical that arts and music education opportunities are available to every child, regardless of their age, their geographic location or their social and economic status.”
Following 112 submissions from arts and education organisations, the Music in Me team had the honour of presenting evidence at NSW Parliament House on 30 July. We were joined by distinguished collaborators and fellow advocates. In our testimony, we highlighted the role of mentoring as a powerful strategy to address the ongoing decline in music education within Initial Teacher Education programs for primary teachers. We also emphasised the need to build confidence and competence in primary educators, which is essential to ensuring that every student has access to high-quality, continuous music education.
The nine-member Joint Select Committee has completed its consultation phase and is expected to present its findings to the Parliament in mid-December this year.
by Bernie Heard, National Manager, Music in Me, published 30 September 2024
(L-R) Emily Albert, Eric Sidoti, Dr Anita Collins, Louise Barkl, Bernie Heard, at NSW Parliament House on 30 July 2024.
