LOCAL education authorities in the region will all be given more money to help boost music teaching in schools.
The Government money will mainly be spent giving every primary school pupil in the country the opportunity to learn a musical instrument.
The Department for Education and Skills said an extra £30m will be spent on this over the next three years across England and Wales.
School Standards Minister David Miliband said: "This will be a key supplement to rising school budgets as we expand music provision in primary and secondary schools."
A Music Manifesto was launched in the summer, which ring-fenced a music fund until 2008.
Mr Miliband said: "To support primary music further, the targeted funding of £1.5m - on average £10,000 for each Local Education Authority - will continue to 2007 to ensure music services are geared up to gain maximum impact from the additional £30m.
Published: 26/11/2004
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