New research has revealed that Australian universities have drastically reduced music education training for generalist primary teachers, leaving them ill-equipped to meet curriculum requirements.

The Fading Notes report, a collaboration between Music Education: Right from the Start and music learning expert Dr. Anita Collins, charts a significant decline in the time and value allocated to music learning in primary teaching degrees.

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In the past 14 years, the survey reveals, Australian universities have cut music education training for generalist primary teachers in half, leaving graduates unable to fulfil their responsibilities under the curriculum. The time and value dedicated to music learning within primary teaching degrees is at an all-time low.

Based on the views of 36 music lecturers, representing 73% of those delivering primary teaching degrees, and analysis of published information from 49 universities, the report reveals that average music education training hours have fallen from 17 in 2009 to 8 by the end of 2022.

Music education also attracts just 1% of the overall credit point value, and only one in five students observe a...