NSW's $4.8 Billion Education Boost: A Step Towards Quality Music Education for Every Student
We welcome the recent announcement of NSW’s $4.8 billion education boost, marking a significant step toward improving educational equity across the state.
This funding, part of the Albanese and Minns Governments’ Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, will support key initiatives such as year one phonics, early years numeracy checks, small-group tutoring, evidence-based teaching methods, and professional development for teachers. These initiatives represent a crucial step toward improving educational outcomes for all students – especially in subjects like music, where access and quality remain uneven across the state.
National Education Minister The Hon Jason Clare MP emphasised the urgency of these reforms, stating, “We have a good education system, but it can be a lot better and fairer.” Current NAPLAN results highlight the importance of these changes, with Minister Clare pointing out that “One in 10 young people at the moment are below the minimum standard we have set, and one in three kids from poor families are below that standard.”
At Music Education: Right from the Start, we view this funding boost as a crucial step toward ensuring every child has access to a quality education – one that includes music as a core component.
NSW Premier Chris Minns stated, “Public education is the best investment any government can make. Every dollar spent in this space is a dollar spent on the future of our country. Every single child in Australia has the right to a quality, free public education, and we are proud to work with the Albanese Labor Government to ensure New South Wales schools are fully funded.”
The Inquiry report highlights 11 key findings, including the undervaluation of creative arts in education, leading to broader systemic neglect in investment, and the decline of tertiary pathways for arts and music in NSW.
Echoing these sentiments, we recognise that music education plays a vital role in delivering the academic, cognitive, and wellbeing outcomes that this funding aims to achieve. This is reflected in the findings of the NSW Inquiry into Arts and Music Education and Training, which asserts, “It is essential for all students in New South Wales primary schools to receive quality, sequential, and ongoing music learning, delivered by teachers with the appropriate level of musical knowledge and training, supported by a comprehensive and detailed music education curriculum.”
The funding boost presents a timely opportunity to elevate the role of quality music education in improving student outcomes across the state. It also offers a chance to address the Inquiry findings of significant gaps between students' rights to music education and the capacity of many government primary schools to meet those expectations.
We know that a quality music education can be a key part of delivering on the reforms outlined in the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement as they are implemented over the next decade – driving us closer to ensuring every NSW student can experience the academic, social, and wellbeing benefits of a quality music education.
As Premier Minns stated, “This investment is vital as we work to lift education standards across the state by ensuring there is a qualified, dedicated teacher at the front of the classroom.”
(Feature image: Courtesy of The Song Room).
