School music charge scheme ended

Pupils will not be charged for tuition from August onwards

Music tuition charges for pupils in south west Scotland are to be dropped.

A free instrumental instruction policy will be introduced in Dumfries and Galloway at the beginning of the new term in August.

The council has taken the step to protect funding to a youth music programme which already operates without charge in primary schools.

The move will cost the education department in the region of about £100,000 in lost income.

However, education committee chairwoman Sandra McDowall said it was important everyone had access to such tuition.

"They reckon that music is very good for maths believe it or not," she said.

"It can sometimes be the making of children just to experience a musical instrument.

"It can be something they take with them for the rest of their lives and I think it is very, very important that every child is given the same chance to participate."