An unexpected problem involving the shift of Year 7 from primary school to high school has been resolved with the announcement of more than $2.46 million in funding for State secondary school music education.
The hitch surrounded musical instruments… would the instruments that Year 7 students were currently using in primary school stay there? Or would they be physically moved to a high school along with the students.
southburnett.com.au understands that some music teachers were worried primary schools and high schools would end up having to share instruments.
However on Friday, the State Government announcement that $2.46 million had been allocated across Queensland for secondary schools to buy more instruments and equipment.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington welcomed the announcement and said the funding would benefit instrumental programs at Kingaroy and Nanango State High Schools.
“This is fantastic news for Kingaroy SHS and Nanango SHS, who are amongst 226 State schools around the state sharing in an additional $1 million to buy more instruments and equipment,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Kingaroy will receive an additional $4712 and Nanango will receive $3733 for new instruments.”
Mrs Frecklington said the extra funding would also help employ an additional 16.7 full-time equivalent instrumental music teachers across Queensland.
“Plus it will cater for the move of Year 7 into secondary school in 2015 and ensure students have access to the instruments and expertise they need.”
Having the extra instruments available in the primary schools won’t go to waste, either.
From 2015, Year 4 students will be able to study woodwind, brass and percussion instruments at school for the first time, a year earlier than the current Year 5 starting point.
This will help primary schools “fill out” their band membership despite the loss of Year 7 students.
“This additional funding will help students to develop their music skills across a range of instruments earlier and help schools to maintain quality bands,” Mrs Frecklington said.
