Luxembourg's Ministry of National Education, Children and Youth has confirmed that, on Tuesday 26 April 2022, the bill on music education (in the municipal sector) was put to the vote in the Chamber of Deputies.
From the start of the 2022/2023 school year, a very large part of music, spoken word and dance lessons will be free in music education establishments in the municipal sector. This law is another important step in the educational policy aimed at offering all children and young people the best chances for the future.
The Minister of National Education, Childhood and Youth, Claude Meisch, considers that children should all be able to enjoy the many benefits of learning music: "Quality musical education, free and accessible for all children and young people, contributes to their individual development and supports the development of their skills. This investment in music education not only strengthens our traditions and social cohesion, but also imparts important skills for the future to future generations.”
Music education, a pillar of the education system
According to the ministry, investing in music education is certainly important for the cultural life of our society and the traditions of our country. The benefits of music go much further, however, as Philippe Dalarun, President of the European Music School Union (EMU) pointed out: "In a darkening European sky, it is more necessary than ever to shine the light humanism and a culture accessible to all. The new law on free music education in Luxembourg is a remarkable step forward in this regard and an example to follow. I congratulate the Luxembourg government for this landmark initiative.”
Music education contributes to personal growth and development. As they learn, the student develops their concentration, creativity, curiosity and self-esteem. The assets of the practice of music, dance and the spoken arts for the general development of the child are such that they amply justify considering communal musical education as a right for all children and therefore to ensure equal access.
Music education is, according to Prof. Dr. Michael Dartsch, Professor für Musikpädagogik an der Hochschule für Musik Saar, a significant pillar of the education system: "The introduction of free music education, from early learning to the instrument, is a unique initiative promote cultural participation. Teaching music can be a life-changing experience that children will enjoy for a lifetime. They thus access a new form of expression and experience which, otherwise, would perhaps remain inaccessible to them forever! Finally, strengthening musical practice also enriches society! This is a fantastic initiative! It does honour to the country, as the introduction of free public transport had already done!”
Free music, spoken word and dance lessons for all children and young people: from initiation to undergraduate degree
Free will affect most music, speech and dance arts classes. Attendance at early learning courses (3 years) up to the first cycle diploma (minimum 4 years) will therefore become free for students under 18 years of age. Free will cover almost two thirds of the courses currently taught and will cover a very large part of the branches in place. It will thus affect more than two thirds of pupils.
Capped prices for non-free courses
Course registration fees (minerval) currently vary greatly from one municipality to another, up to several hundred euros per branch and per school year. They will be capped, in order to reduce this regional imbalance and guarantee the equality of pupils, regardless of their place of residence.
The minerval ceiling is set at €100 per branch and per school year, also for adult learners.
Extension of the criteria for school fees
When free admission does not apply, low-income families will be reimbursed the full amount of fees. Until now, support was only partial.
For families whose income exceeds the set threshold, a graduation will be put in place so that they can benefit from a partial refund. The age limit for reimbursement will be extended from 14 to 18 years old.
More transparent funding for municipalities
According to the ministry, municipalities are the linchpins of the supply and organization of music education. Operating costs will be borne by them as in the past, but they will be further supported in their tasks by an in-depth reform of the mode of co-financing and the provision of an efficient IT management tool. The annual financial allocation from the State to the municipalities will thus be substantially increased by more than 50%. This will no longer be capped as in the past, but adapted each year according to the number of students and the teaching time in music education establishments.
