Vol. 513 No. 6
56 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science if a decision has been, or will be, taken by Government to implement the proposals contained in the PIANO report (details supplied) on music education; if the Government decision to establish the Academy for the Performing Arts has implications for the recommendations contained in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3247/00]
There have been a number of developments in relation to music education since the preparation of the PIANO report. The revision of the primary curriculum under the aegis of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment – NCCA – was completed last summer. The revised curriculum and guidelines were issued to all teachers last autumn. The revised curriculum incorporates a subject-block entitled Arts Education. This comprises visual arts, drama and music. It is recommended that this area of education should be allotted at least three hours per week in the curriculum of all primary schools.
In common with the other subject areas, the documents on music education consist of two booklets, a curriculum statement, incorporating the aims and content objectives for each class level and guidelines for teachers on the teaching of the subject. All primary teachers have been given an overview of the revised curriculum through attending a total of over 500 two-day seminars with specially trained tutors throughout the country during the first half of this school year. In-career professional development in music education will form part of the ongoing primary curriculum support programme at a later date. Schools may introduce the revised programmes in the various subject areas as they see fit, taking account of the particular interests and expertise of their staff. In general, the expectation is that schools will implement the revised programme in a particular subject in the school year following its inclusion in the in-career development programme.
The PIANO report proposed the splitting of leaving certificate music into two subjects. The NCCA , in devising the new leaving certificate music syllabus, considered a range of options and concluded that the appropriate approach to adopt was the integration of the three aspects of music, listening, composing and performing. The history and criticism of music are taught as integral aspects of the subject. This new syllabus was introduced in September 1997 and examined for the first time last year. The number of candidates taking music at leaving certificate has increased from 1,322 in 1996 to 2,995 in 1999.
The establishment of a planning and steering group to plan for the development of the Academy for the Performing Arts was announced on 27 January. The planning group will develop, advise on, facilitate and monitor the process of establishing the proposed Academy for the Performing Arts which will involve a capital investment of £35 million. The group will be chaired by Dr. Danny O'Hare, former President of Dublin City University.
I join Deputy Bruton in wishing the Minister success in his new appointment. My question was much simpler than the one the Minister answered. It is the classic strategy of answering another question entirely. I did not ask about changes in the curriculum. I asked where the Government stands in relation to the implementation of the Piano report. This simple question requires a "yes" or "no" answer.
The report produced a map which showed that if one drew a line from Drogheda to Limerick there was no provision for music education to the left of that line. Since Dr. O'Connor produced the report, that map was published and the line was drawn, the absence of provision for music education on the left of that line remains the same. However, £35 million has been allocated for a performing arts academy. I am not against the academy, but where does the Government stand on the Piano report? Does the decision of 27 January have implications for the implementation of the report?
As the Deputy is aware, last December the Government decided to establish an academy for the performing arts based on the report from Dr. Renshaw. The establishment of the planning and steering group was announced on 27 January to develop, advise on, facilitate and monitor the process of establishing the proposed academy. The group will be chaired by Dr. O'Hare. From that point of view, the Government has taken decisive action. I also mentioned the steps which are being taken.
In the interests on fairness, I must point out that my question explicitly asked if a decision has been, or will be, taken by Government to implement the proposals contained in the Piano report. The answer to that is "yes" or "no". A decision has either been taken by the Cabinet to implement it or the Government has announced a project of £35 million without stating whether it is in the context of providing music education. This cannot be done, unless it is regarded as a type of "super stroke". Will the Piano report on music education be implemented? Does the large capital investment have anything to do with a decision of either of the Ministers, both of them or the whole Cabinet? The facts as Dr. O'Connor reported them are of scandalous underprovision, particularly in the area I mentioned. Has the Government decided to implement the report?
The time available for this question is running out. The Deputy must be brief.
The answer is either "yes" or "no".
The Government is in the process of implementing it. The revised primary curriculum incorporates music in the broad integrated area of arts education. In addition, the recommendations included integrating it into the curriculum and the need for a complete overview.
We must move onto the next question.
These steps will be followed up.
I wish the Minister more than incrementalism.
