- Published:
- Thursday 20 April 2017
More Victorian students will get the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Education James Merlino and Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today visited Morwell Central Primary School to open round two of the $400,000 Musical Instruments Grants program.
Under the program, 200 eligible schools will be invited to apply for grants of up to $5,000 to buy musical instruments.
Morwell Central Primary School students have access to 29 new percussion instruments, four drums and two woodwind instruments thanks to $4800 in funding in the first round of the program. Other schools across the state used the grants to buy instruments including pianos, guitars, ukuleles and xylophones.
It is part of the Labor Government’s $2 million Music in Schools initiative - which also provides professional training for hundreds of Victorian teachers so that schools can establish quality music programs.
Research shows that exposure to music enhances student engagement and wellbeing, improves academic performance and builds personal and social development.
Information on Music in Schools can be found at: www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/learningdev/Pages/music-in-schools.aspx
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“Research tells us that exposure to music and musical education results in better results and better attendance.”
“That’s why we’re helping hundreds of Victorian schools like Morwell Central Primary to develop and run quality music programs for their students.”
“Last year 43 schools purchased more than 500 musical instruments including drums, guitars, tambourines, xylophones, cowbells and even an emu caller. I can’t wait to see what schools receive in round two.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing.
“Morwell Central's students are making the most of their instruments in a brand new school, and making music is helping them to develop new skills, make friends and have more fun while they learn.”
Background: Music in Schools Initiative
The Music in Schools program comprises:
- $1.6 million for professional training for hundreds of Victorian teachers so that schools without strong, school-wide programs can establish quality music programs.
- $400,000 in grants over two stages for schools to buy instruments.
- $200,000 so trainee teachers at university studying to become primary teachers can complete musical education training.
To date 596 teachers have completed professional training and 627 trainee teachers have completed training. Workshops are being conducted across Victoria, with the next local workshop due to run in Trafalgar on 15 May.