Music Education and Law

The aim of this interdisciplinary study is to explore the relationship between music education and the law. The principal questions to be addressed are: 1. How do the principles “the right to education” and “freedom in education” function in music education for children and adolescents? Different kinds of music-education systems are explored. The study focuses on the network of Finnish music schools, and on extra-curricular music education in England, Germany and Sweden. 2. What kind of regulative model would best promote the aims in extra-curricular music education for children and adolescents? Here, regulation as an instrument (means) is examined, and a closer look is taken at the different kinds that are in existence. As a result, a partially open and flexible regulative model is supported. A balance between positive and negative freedom is the aim of this regulative model;that is, the model secures the financial resources and at the same time leaves space for human autonomy. It makes holistic aims in music education possible. These aims are similar to the “best interests of the child”, which is the most important legal principle in all action concerning children in Finland.