The Andrews Labor Government is making sure more Victorian students have access to vital music education at school, with expressions of interest for the 2022 Music in Schools Teacher Professional Learning Program now open.
The Labor Government is investing $3.5 million to continue the DUET program, which is available to eligible primary, primary-secondary and specialist schools to increase teachers’ confidence and capability to teach classroom music.
The investment will support a further 80 government schools to participate next year, with successful schools able to access professional learning for teachers, a range of workshops and in-classroom mentoring with expert music educators – as well as grants of up to $4,000 to purchase or hire music education resources like musical instruments.
The program is delivered by The Song Room, helping to address some of the known barriers faced by schools in accessing trained music teachers and providing a quality music education.
Since 2015, Music in Schools has supported more than 2,000 classroom teachers from more than 1,100 Victorian schools to ensure quality music programs aligned to the Victorian Curriculum can be delivered to Victorian students.
In 2021, 82 schools across Victoria participated in the program, with the Government funding additional professional learning sessions to mitigate the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on music education.
Expressions of interest are now open, closing on Friday 30 November. For more information, visit education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/Pages/music-in-schools.
As stated by Minister for Education James Merlino
“It’s so important for kids to have music included in their education from a young age, and this program will support schools to make that a reality – particularly those in regional Victoria with limited access to music educators.”
“Music education improves academic achievement, builds communication skills and creativity, develops teamwork and increases engagement in school – and that’s why we’re investing in a music education for every Victorian child.”
