asked the Minister for Education what steps he is taking to meet the widspread criticism of the low standard of music education throughout the country; if he will soon implement the report of the Commission on Higher Education in respect of music; and if he will make a statement of the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Music Education Standard.
136.
The section of the draft working document on the primary school curricula devoted to music is designed to stimulate full enjoyment and creative interest in music among children and to provide them with the basic skills in music reading, intelligent listening, voice training et cetera. Provision has already been made in the new curriculum for post-primary schools for courses in music, general musicianship, general and practical musicianship and any one of these subjects may be taken at the intermediate and leaving certificate examination. Heretofore music was taken to examination level only by students who had considerable performing ability.
In addition, many schools, primary and post-primary, have school choirs and participate in feiseanna and activities of Ceol Chumann na nÓg. A large number of post-primary schools have school orchestras. I am not aware that there has been such widespread criticism of the low standard of music but as in the case of all subjects, steps are being taken to improve the teaching methods and subject content.
The recommendations of the Commission on Higher Education in regard to the provision of facilities for the study of music at third level have been referred to the Higher Education Authority.