Music in UK schools: Cuts, inequality and demoralised teachers

A poll of more than 1,000 heads, teachers, music service managers and instrumental teachers in UK schools suggests that while music education has improved in some areas in the late 8 years, there is patchy provision nationwide. Some 97% of classroom music teachers lacked confidence in the government’s handling of it. The report by Musicians' Union paints a picture of creeping cuts to music education, a demoralised workforce with poor employment conditions and huge inequality in instrumental provision, with children from families earning under £28,000 a year half as likely to learn a musical instrument as those with a family income above £48,000. And 89% of parents are making a financial contribution towards instrumental lessons. Guardian...