Conducted by the Bertelsmann Foundation on behalf of the German Music Council Study on music education in primary school draws a disastrous and alarming picture for the primary schools in the state of Bremen: According to the study, in the 2016/17 school year just 27.5% of the music lessons actually given were taught professionally. 37.4% of primary schools have no music teacher at all. In a country comparison, Bremen takes last place in this regard. The forecasts for the year 2028 are also sobering: the teacher deficit in the federal state of Bremen should then be almost 400, and the proportion of music lessons taught in other subjects would probably even rise to 76.3%.
Striking shortage of skilled workers
Also against the background of the learning and development statuses found in Bremen (cf. the 2021 IQB Education Trends Results) as well as due to the blatant shortage of skilled workers, the Bremen State Music Council now harbors the fear of a further focus on the so-called core subjects in all school levels. As a result, the subject of music would be pushed even further than before to the edge of the spectrum of subjects. The State Music Council is therefore calling for a realigned education policy that focuses more on the subject of music.
rethink school
In addition, we refer to the statement #SchuleNeuDenken adopted by the German Music Council on March 10th: more music! In it, key parameters for better musical education are identified. Prof. Christian Höppner, General Secretary of the German Music Council: “The German Music Council calls on all members of parliament and governments at federal, state and local level to enable all children and young people to have a sound musical education right from the start. The first encounter with music and other artistic subjects in the places where all children and young people can be reached – the day care centers and schools – is for many a key element in their personal development. Putting these subjects on the substitute bench, as is currently happening in many places, is irresponsible and short-sighted: Because it massively deprives children and young people of their educational opportunities and thus also has a fatal impact on the society of today and tomorrow. Experiencing self-efficacy and promoting curiosity about the unknown is of existential importance for living together in our society and thus also for our democracy. #SchuleNeuDenken is therefore much more than just a hashtag: it is a mission for all of us.”
