15 February 2008
There are neither enough funds nor 'hours in the day' to deliver government plans for all children to receive five hours of culture a week, teachers have warned.
Culture Secretary Andy Burnham and Schools Secretary Ed Balls announced plans on February 13 to give children access to the theatre, art galleries, music lessons and other cultural activities.
'What we're trying to do is put in place a structured programme across the country so that all young people, not just a few, get the chance to do these things that really broaden your horizon,' Burnham said.
A £25m pilot programme will launch the scheme, while the government will pump an extra £110m into the Creative Partnerships Programme to bring arts organisations into schools.
But teachers' unions feared that lack of funds and an already-full timetable would hamper the initiative. Association of School and College Leaders general secretary John Dunford said: 'While funding is welcome, the pilot grant works out at £15 per pupil per year. This is inadequate.'
He noted that children already had an entitlement to five hours of sport, adding: 'There are not enough hours in the day to provide an entitlement to five hours of cultural activities in addition to the rest of the curriculum.'
Steve Sinnott, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: 'There has to be sufficient funding not only for the extra school costs but for cash-strapped arts centres. The pressures on schools caused by the excessive testing regime have to be lifted.'
Burnham responded to concerns over the length of the school day by saying some activities would take place out of school.
PFfeb2008
