MINISTERS are considering the introduction of “culture hours” into school timetables to ensure every child gets a basic grounding in art, theatre and music.
Under a scheme to be announced this week by Ed Balls, the schools secretary, and Andy Burnham, the culture secretary, the government will try to ensure that cultural subjects are as integral to the school timetable as sport and PE.
Subjects studied could range from rap music to Shakespeare and would enable children to stage art exhibitions, write poetry, act in plays or make films. “It’s replicating the push for sport,” said Burnham in an interview in today’s Sunday Times News Review.
“We are well on the way to delivering five hours of high-quality coaching and competitive activity in schools.
“The idea is to do the same in arts and culture.”
Advertisement
However, he emphasised that he would not be prescriptive: “What I am saying is excite and arouse people’s interest, so encourage them to take part in a theatre production, learn a musical instrument, give them exposure to new media.”
Balls and Burnham will invite bids for grants from local authorities to begin 10 pilot schemes. If successful, the programme could be expanded across the country.
The idea is partly to give new opportunities to children from poor families, many of whom never even consider the idea ofa career in the cultural world.
“The worlds of music, arts and television are still too closed. They are closed to my constituents,” said Burnham, the MP for Leigh, Lancashire.
“Even if it doesn’t awaken a lifetime interest in culture, you get something very valuable out of it.”