How music education can address the learning crisis in Australian schools
Emily Albert, Head of the Music Education: Right from the Start, joined ABC Radio National Drive’s Andy Park and Australian Chamber Orchestra’s Richard Tognetti to address the decline in music education in Australian primary schools. Despite its inclusion in the national curriculum, crowded schedules, limited resources, and insufficient teacher training have led to widespread cuts in music programs, leaving many students without formal music education – and its foundational benefits for learning.
This issue is now under review by a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry. We, and many others across the sector, are advocating there for mandated music learning hours and improved teacher accreditation.
With ABC News reporting one-third of Australian students falling below numeracy and literacy benchmarks according to the 2024 NAPLAN results, Andy Park queried Emily on how music education could support these essential skills.
“This is what we’d really love to see: it’s this holistic view of education and how all the different subjects contribute to the outcomes that we want for our children,” said Emily, “some primary ones being around literacy and numeracy.”
Noting that music education is already part of the national curriculum, she addressed concerns about crowded classroom schedules, “We often get asked about this crowded curriculum or music squeezing other subjects out,” she added.
“[Music is] not robbing literacy or numeracy; it’s a direct contributor. We know, for example, that there can be a barrier for a lot of students around engagement with school, and that’s a factor in their ability then to learn. There’s significant research showing music as a foundation for learning, literacy, and numeracy.”
Richard, the artistic director and lead violin of the ACO, agrees, noting ACO funded a pilot groundbreaking ‘Foundations’ music program at Sydney’s St Marys North Public School, where students would otherwise have received no music learning.
“I mean, to have absolutely no musical engagement for kids is – I’ll call it a dire situation,” said Richard, emphasising that music education is not about forging elite musicians: “We know the flow-on effects to other aspects of education… But it needs to be reaffirmed,” he added.
“We just need to keep saying it and hope that the government is listening.”
Emily notes there is growing momentum among politicians at both state and federal levels to address the crisis. “We’re seeing a number of ministers who really take the creative arts and the role that they play in society seriously,” she said, highlighting the cross-party backing of the Joint Selevia ABC RN Drivect Committee into Arts and Music Education and Training indicates strong political will to address the crisis.
“It's amazing actually the support that is there,” said Emily. “Now, we need to translate that into some action to improve the current status of music education.”
