St. Gallen cantonal council discusses music lessons
A committee of the St. Gallen Cantonal Council has discussed the anchoring of voluntary instrumental and vocal lessons in the Elementary School Act and the Secondary School Act. It wants it to be anchored in the laws as a compulsory offer and notes that the differences in rates between the music schools in the canton are too great.
With the motion "Law on Music Education in the Canton of St.Gallen" of November 2015, the Cantonal Council instructed the government to submit a bill to implement the new article of the Federal Constitution to strengthen music education in the Canton of St.Gallen.
The Commission notes that music education in schools in the Canton of St.Gallen "is already accorded an appropriate status". It shares the government's view that the constitutional mandate is fulfilled in this area and that additional regulations in cantonal law are not necessary. On the other hand, the preliminary advisory committee agrees with the government that instrumental and vocal teaching should be enshrined in law. Accordingly, the Elementary School Act and the Secondary School Act should include a requirement to offer voluntary instrumental and vocal lessons. These lessons should also be open to vocational students residing in the canton of St.Gallen.
The Federal Act on the Promotion of Culture requires music schools to offer reduced tuition fees for young people. The music schools in the canton of St.Gallen already comply with this requirement. However, the Commission notes that the differences in fees between the schools are too great. However, it accepts the autonomy of the municipalities. As the 32 music schools cover the cantonal territory practically without gaps and also admit young people in vocational training to vocal and instrumental lessons at a reduced tuition fee, the obligation to offer lessons is already fulfilled.
