Bitter pill for Olten music students
The fees of Olten Music School will be increased in two steps of 25 percent each over the next two school years. The increase is a measure taken by the city council as part of the relief package to restructure the city's finances.
The basis for the measure is the specifications of the current tariff regulations: according to a statement from the city, these stipulate that the parental contributions should cover 15 to 20 percent of the wage costs; today it is only around 12 percent. In addition, the tariffs for non-residents are too low in comparison to the rest of the canton and intercanton, as well as in comparison to Olten's pupils.
Individual lessons for children and young people in Olten will increase in two stages from the current CHF 450 (30 minutes) and CHF 600 (40 minutes) to CHF 560 (2014/15) and CHF 675 (2015/16) for the 30-minute lesson and CHF 750 (2014/15) and CHF 900 (2015/16) for the 40-minute lesson.
The rates for partner lessons and group lessons (min. 5 participants) will also be increased accordingly. Whereas previously there was a reduction of CHF 50 in the parental contribution for children and young people from Olten for additional ensemble lessons, an administration fee of CHF 50 will now be charged for the music school's year-round ensemble courses, and CHF 100 for those from outside Olten.
Non-local students - currently around 50 in number - can attend individual lessons at the Olten Music School at twice the rate of locals, provided they are also involved in a music school ensemble. Otherwise, from the 2014/15 school year, they will pay CHF 1,900 for a 30-minute lesson (previously CHF 700) and CHF 2,500 for a 40-minute lesson (previously CHF 900) or, from the 2015/16 school year, the full cost rate of CHF 3,000 for a 30-minute lesson and CHF 4,000 for a 40-minute lesson.
Assuming the number of pupils remains constant, the two increases should result in additional revenue of around CHF 145,000 per year.
