The principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland has defended music education following “insulting” comments made by a local authority’s head of education. The comments came during a meeting about the development of a new vocational centre being built. After being circulated on social media, the comments were branded “ignorant” and “disrespectful” prompting an apology from the councillor. Responding to the comments, Jeffrey Sharkey, prinicpal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, highlighted that music education has been found to improve wellbeing and social inclusion. Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Royal Conservatoire of Scotland principal Jeffrey Sharkey Royal Conservatoire of Scotland“Like all the best forms of education, music education is also about opening people’s minds to what’s possible for us as a society and individuals within it, not closing minds to limit opportunities.”Ms McAulay-Griffiths has since apologised, insisting that the short clip “has been taken out of context”.