Education head apologises after 'insulting' music classes

Linda McAulay-Griffiths has handed out awards to young musicians, but appeared to dismiss music classes in a recent meeting

A local authority head of education has apologised after a clip of her appearing to dismiss music classes was widely shared online.

Linda McAulay-Griffiths told an East Ayrshire Council public meeting that she was "no really seeing the point of a wean knocking seven bells out of a glockenspiel".

During the discussion last month - in relation to the development of the new Doon Valley Community Campus vocational centre - she said it would better for pupils to be working with tools instead.

Ms McAuley-Griffths said the remark had been misinterpreted and taken out of context, but that she apologised for the wording of her statement.

During the meeting, which was streamed online, Ms McAulay-Griffiths said that she had heard employers were seeking "young people on the tools" who could go straight into apprenticeships.

The director of education then added: "I'm really thinking about getting the weans right on to the tools.

"There's a bit of me, and folk have heard this from me before, I'm no (sic) really seeing the point of a wean knocking seven bells out of a glockenspiel - but I will see about a wean knocking seven bells out of tools.

"We need to make sure we are maximising young people's education."

'Profoundly misguided'

The comments provoked online criticism and Ms McAulay-Griffiths was accused of demeaning music education.

Award-winning percussionist said Evelyn Glennie said Ms McAulay-Griffiths actions were "not just short-sighted but a fundamental misunderstanding of what education is for".

She added: "Music doesn't just teach rhythm, melody, sound awareness and discovery. It teaches discipline, listening, confidence, collaboration, and the courage to create."

Calum Huggan, a percussion and workshop leader with the Benedetti Foundation charity, wrote: "I find this comment not only insulting but incredibly short-sighted.

"These words dismiss the dedication, skill and potential of young musicians.

"To belittle the creative arts in this way is not just disrespectful, it's dangerous."

Mr Huggan said creative education wasn't "a luxury" but rather "a pathway to careers, personal growth, and lifelong skills".

He added: "Apprenticeships and vocational training are important, but to suggest they are somehow more real than the arts is profoundly misguided."

Other online comments described the remarks as "grossly ignorant" and "shocking behaviour".

The Benedetti Foundation was founded by award-winning violinist Nicola Benedetti, who is from West Kilbride in North Ayrshire.

A 'throwaway comment'

Ms McAulay-Griffiths said she had always been supportive of music education in the region, which hosts the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships at the William McIlvanney Campus in Kilmarnock each year.

She added: "The wording of my statement within the meeting was in no way intended to devalue the currency of music education and activity, but I am able to see how such a short clip may be taken as having a negative take on both the curricular positioning of music and its benefits for young people, and I apologise for this.

"I do not support this statement under this interpretation, it was a throwaway comment, which on reflection, I can see may be misinterpreted, particularly when taken out of context."

Work on the the Doon Valley Community Campus project is due to begin by the end of the year.

The project intends to take a "place-based approach" and incorporate Doon Academy, Dalmellington Primary School and Early Childhood Centre, Doon Valley Leisure Centre and Dalmellington Area Centre.