School music tuition fees are to be abolished from the start of the new school year.

And that will trickle down to other program costs as well, from theater visits to cooking ingredients to home economics classes.

Funding has been announced by the Scottish Government to remove fees for instrument lessons and for core program activities, following an agreement with the local government organization COSLA.

The North Lanarkshire Council (NLC) is expected to receive £ 351,000 to cover music tuition fees for the next academic year, while the South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) will receive £ 321,000, meaning families will only have no more need to pay for additional lessons for young players from the next month.

The two authorities will also receive £ 420,000 and £ 385,000 respectively for the 2021-2022 academic year to cover costs that can currently be passed on to families such as materials for art, technology and home economics, the necessary equipment for thematic learning weeks and trips to the theater. related to drama degrees.

Music pupils in North Lanarkshire previously paid £ 150 per year for 30 individual instrumental lessons per year, while the cost in South Lanarkshire was £ 210.

Cost exemptions were already in place for those eligible for free school meals or clothing scholarships, with additional support needs, to study music as an exam subject in S4 and above, while younger pupils could already benefit from up to one year of free education before P6.

Neil Gray, the MSP of Airdrie & Shotts who is the chairman of the Holyrood Social Justice and Social Security Committee, says he is “delighted” with the action of the Scottish government.

He said Lanarkshire Live: “So many young people would love to learn a musical instrument, but the fees to do so are quite restrictive for parents on a tight budget, or who have more than one child looking to learn.

“Educational trips such as theater tours for drama students can change a child’s perspective and open their mind to new possibilities; things like this shouldn’t be just for those who can afford it.

“I am very happy that this government is seeking to give every child the same opportunities in life throughout their school career – equal opportunities in life are at the heart of my work on social justice. “

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