In Tuesday’s (8/16) Guardian (London), Jessica Shephard writes, “Musicians have launched a national campaign to persuade ministers of the importance of studying music at school. The coalition government announced in December that schools would be measured according to how many pupils achieved at least a C at GCSE in English, maths, two sciences, history or geography and a modern or ancient language. Musicians are furious that the new measurement—known as the English Baccalaureate (Ebacc)—excludes music and other creative subjects, such as art and drama. The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) and Music Teacher magazine said they had already noticed that fewer pupils were taking music as a result. The two organisations are calling on the public to write to MPs expressing their ‘deep concern’ at the omission of music and other creative subjects from the Ebacc. … In May, schools minister Nick Gibb told MPs that the Ebacc was a ‘key component’ in the ‘overall objective of closing the attainment gap between wealthier and poorer children’ But last month, MPs on the cross-party Commons education select committee said the Ebacc had major flaws and warned there was no evidence that it improves the prospects of disadvantaged pupils.”
Posted August 18, 2011
