NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell has confirmed exclusively to Deborah Knight new changes to restrictions on music in schools.

While restrictions had been removed on music classes, bands and choir practice taking place outdoors, singing and playing wind instruments was banned in the classroom.

From Monday, December 13, one-to-one indoor tuition will be permitted for 30 mins in well-ventilated spaces, high schools (but not primary schools) can resume indoor band and choir practice, and teachers will be allowed to demonstrate playing instruments while indoors.

Music lessons and band practice must remain within the same year cohort.

Ms Mitchell told Deborah while the relaxing of restrictions comes just in time for the last week of school, further discussions will take place ahead of Term 1, 2022.

“[There’s] a bit more common sense coming into our school communities when it comes to music.

“A lot of our high school students are fully vaccinated, and so we think we can relax things a bit further in those settings.”

Press PLAY below to hear the Education Minister explain the changes

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