The Victorian Government has announced the second round of its $400,000 Musical Instruments Grants program.
Education Minister James Merlino and Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing MP today visited Morwell Central Primary School last week to open the round.
Under the program, 200 eligible schools will be invited to apply for grants of up to $5,000 to buy musical instruments.
Morwell Central Primary School students have access to 29 new percussion instruments, four drums and two woodwind instruments thanks to $4800 in funding in the first round of the program. Other schools across the state used the grants to buy instruments including pianos, guitars, ukuleles and xylophones.
The grants are part of the Labor Government’s $2 million Music in Schools initiative – which also aims to provide professional music education training for hundreds of Victorian teachers.
Research shows that exposure to music enhances student engagement and wellbeing, improves academic performance and builds personal and social development, the State Government noted.
“Research tells us that exposure to music and musical education results in better results and better attendance,” Minister for Education James Merlino said.
“That’s why we’re helping hundreds of Victorian schools like Morwell Central Primary to develop and run quality music programs for their students.”
“Last year 43 schools purchased more than 500 musical instruments including drums, guitars, tambourines, xylophones, cowbells and even an emu caller. I can’t wait to see what schools receive in round two.”
“Morwell Central’s students are making the most of their instruments in a brand new school, and making music is helping them to develop new skills, make friends and have more fun while they learn,” Eastern Victoria MP Harriet Shing said.
The Music in Schools program comprises $1.6 million for professional training for hundreds of Victorian teachers, $400,000 in grants over two stages for instrument purchases and $200,000 to help trainee teachers at university complete musical education training for primary schools.
To date 596 teachers have completed professional training and 627 trainee teachers have completed training.