Question reference: S5W-02079
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 22 August 2016
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Current status: Answered by John Swinney on 6 September 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government in what circumstances local authorities are allowed to charge for music tuition held in school during the normal school day as an option on the timetable.
Answer
It is the duty of every education authority to provide adequate and efficient provision of school education without payment of fees. An education authority may charge fees for the provision of an extra-curricular activity that it is not legally obliged to provide.
The Scottish Government considers music tuition in schools that takes place during the course of the school day to constitute 'school education'. Regardless of who is teaching the pupils, such tuition should therefore be provided free of charge.