The countdown is on. With the NSW Government set to respond to the Inquiry report recommendations from the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Arts and Music Education in NSW by 12 March, now is the time to take action.
The Government’s forthcoming response represents a crucial opportunity to build on the collaborative efforts and unified requests put forward to the Inquiry by stakeholders via the 125 submissions and multiple hearings, and secure meaningful progress in improving access to quality primary music education across the state. To ensure the momentum from the Inquiry is not lost, we must continue advocating collectively for a strong and committed government response.
Our Ongoing Advocacy
This year, the primary focus of Music Education: Right from the Start, a collaborative national initiative led by Alberts | The Tony Foundation, has been on preparing a response to the NSW Government ahead of their official response to the Inquiry Report’s recommendations. As put forward in our submission to the Inquiry and during the 30 July hearing, central to our position is the Inquiry’s key finding that ‘Every child in New South Wales deserves the benefits of a high-quality, richly complex creative arts education.’
We are strongly backing the recommendation to implement Recommendation 12 to develop a Music Education Plan, and we are advocating for the Department of Education to take the lead on all school-related issues.
The foundations for valuing the place and benefits of quality music learning within the education system are in place—now is the time to act.
Encouraging Stakeholder Engagement
Sustained advocacy is crucial to ensuring the Inquiry’s momentum leads to real change. We urge our collaborators and supporters – many of whom have joined us for briefings to align on our asks to the Joint Select Committee, including Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO), The Australian Children’s Music Foundation (ACMF), Music in Me, Musica Viva Australia and The Song Room – to write to the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Prue Car, and the Minister for the Arts, John Graham, advocating for a robust government response.
While stakeholders may have their own priorities, these are key areas of shared advocacy we recommend highlighting in your communication:
- That you/your organisation welcomes Finding 4 of the Inquiry report: It is essential for all students in New South Wales primary schools to receive quality, sequential, and ongoing music learning
- That quality music education supports other academic outcomes in young children, including numeracy and literacy, and many cognitive and wellbeing outcomes (Refer to A Sound Investment research paper by Dr Anita Collins for Alberts | The Tony Foundation 2019)
- That the government recognises the gap between the rights of students to quality music education and the NSW curriculum requirements, and the capacity of many of the government primary schools to meet these expectations and deliverables
- That you/your organisation endorses the development of a Music Education Plan (as set out in Recommendation 12), and request the NSW Department of Education lead it. This Plan should be developed in consultation with an advisory group comprising internal and external experts with extensive experience both inside and outside the NSW education System. This would include music education think tanks, consultants and philanthropic organisations, as well as specialist music teachers, principals, conservatoriums, music education providers, the NSW Teachers’ Federation, as well as tertiary institutions offering Initial Teacher Education (ITE)
- A request that the Music Education Plan has a 10-year timeframe as a minimum, with a focus on how to deliver universal quality music education in government primary schools; be appropriately resourced from 2025-2026 for at least three years, have ambitious targets set, and annual public reporting to the Minister for Education.
How to Take Action
You can contact the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Prue Car, and Minister for the Arts, John Graham, using the details below:
The Hon. Prue Car, MP
GPO Box 5341
SYDNEY NSW 2001
P: (02) 7225 6010
E: [email protected]
The Hon. John Graham, MLC
52 Martin Place
SYDNEY NSW 2000
P: (02) 7225 6030
E: [email protected]
About Music Education: Right from the Start
Music Education: Right from the Start is a national, collaborative initiative advocating for quality, sequential, and ongoing music education for all Australian primary school children. Founded in 2022 and led by Alberts | The Tony Foundation, it has been developed and is being delivered in collaboration with key music organisations, providers and funders, as well as educators, researchers and policy makers, all driven by a collective belief in the power of music to change lives. With a vision that every child in Australia has access to a quality music education, our focus is on advocacy and driving systemic change to elevate the role of music education within the education system and ensure equitable access for every primary school student.
Your continued support and advocacy are vital to ensuring all NSW primary students receive the quality music education they deserve. Let’s work together to make this vision a reality!
Feature image courtesy of The Australian Children’s Music Foundation.
