THE VALUE OF MUSIC EDUCATION IN IRISH DEIS PRIMARY SCHOOLS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Abstract In 2005 the Department of Education and Science set up the DEIS programme in Irish schools. This initiative was set up to address the educational needs of children from disadvantaged communities. DEIS schools are schools with a high proportion of children from low socio-economic status backgrounds. These schools are under increasing pressure to raise their literacy and numeracy results, and the researcher examines whether this is to the detriment of other subjects, with a focus in this research on music education. Music is one of the eleven compulsory subjects on the primary school curriculum. This thesis aims to look at the value placed on music education in DEIS schools and compare it to non-DEIS schools. It will also examine the difficulties facing teachers in effectively teaching music education in Irish primary schools. This research uses a case study approach and the research is carried out in five primary schools in Dublin, both DEIS and non-DEIS. Questionnaires and interviews were used to measure the value placed on music education in these schools, with participation from principals and teachers. Although this study was quite modest, it is anticipated that this research might act as a starting point for a larger study within this area. The main findings highlighted the differences placed on the value of music education within schools and the difficulties teachers encounter delivering the music programme in its current model. The research highlights the need for action in improving music education in Irish primary schools.