Labour councillors have struck a discordant note over plans to scrap music tuition fees.
The proposal by the city council’s SNP administration would see pupils no longer each having to pay £132 per year. The total £88,000 bill would instead fall on the education department.
Labour education spokesman Laurie Bidwell said: “I think this proposed cut in fees may help reduce one of the barriers to children taking part in learning to play a musical instrument and perform in the citywide bands and orchestras.”
However, he needed to know this could really be afforded without sacrificing something else in Dundee schools which parents and carers, pupils and teachers might value more highly.
“I have contacted the education directorate about a number of issues on which I am seeking clarification before the education committee meeting next week,” Mr Bidwell said.
Labour group leader Kevin Keenan said he was a supporter of the development of music, art and drama in city schools.
“But there is no getting away from the fact that the council is operating in a challenging financial climate so each spending decision is a tough choice between more of this and less of that.
“The fact that I have identified that does not mean I am against the potential widening of participation in music tuition in our schools.
“I am pointing out that this will likely have a cost elsewhere in schools and asking if this is a price worth paying?”
The SNP’s depute education convener Gregor Murray said: “We think this is the best use of our resources and are fully behind the idea of giving people the chance to take up instruments.”