The Department of Education and Communities says there are no plans to cut funds to music courses at Orange TAFE.
THE music courses at Orange TAFE have escaped funding cuts for now, acccording to the Department and Education and Communities.
Orange TAFE offers certificate and diploma music courses.
“There are no discussions taking place about the future of music courses at Orange,” a department spokesperson said.
A decision by the department to increase fees for fine arts students has jeopardised the future of the course, according to TAFE art teacher Victor Gordon.
The music courses at the Orange campus, the only ones of their type in the central and far west, are part of the same faculty as fine arts.
The Orange campus has a fully-equipped recording studio, which is used as part of the music course.
TAFE has embarked on a cost-cutting program across the state, despite changes to the education system requiring students to stay at school until Year 12 unless they are studying at TAFE, have a traineeship or apprenticeship.
Studying music via TAFE’s Delivered Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses offers a transition to full-time study at the Orange campus.
TVET qualifications are recognised by employers Australia-wide and provide the opportunity for senior high school students to gain two sets of credentials, one from the Board of Studies (HSC) and one from TAFE NSW.
janice.harris@ruralpress.com
