A Moray disability group is seeking public opinion on a proposal to segregate children with learning difficulties from others in mainstream education.
The notion of creating a specialised school was raised by Moray Council’s corporate director of education and social care, Laurence Findlay, as a cost-cutting measure last month.
The Elgin branch of disability charity Enable believes such a move could prove a catalyst for a national change in policy.
And it is asking Moray residents – particularly those with children who have learning difficulties – to get in touch with their views.
The group’s secretary, Anne Speake, said: “We know that there are valid opinions on both sides of this argument and we are looking to gauge what the public feeling in Moray is.
“We’re simply looking to see whether people think inclusion is for the best, and we will then present our findings to the council.
“If the council does approve this change then it could lead to authorities all over the country revising their inclusion policies.”
Last month the council’s audit and performance review committee heard efforts to address learning problems at a younger age meant more support staff were being required in nurseries.
And an increasing trend for children remaining in high school until sixth year meant that in some cases pupils needed continuous help for the next 15 years.
During the meeting, Mr Findlay acknowledged that the proposal represented a potential turnaround in policy.
He said: “Around 15 to 20 years ago, inclusion was the buzz word, and specialised schools were closing nationally – but now we’re looking at a different definition of inclusion.”
The chief executive of Down’s Syndrome Scotland, Pandora Summerfield, warned the proposal “could set the education system back years” unless it was given careful consideration.
However, spokesman for the Moray and Nairn branch of the National Autistic Society, Glyn Morris, said the move could benefit the area – provided children were assigned to a specialised school on an individual basis.
People who want to comment should e-mail m.wood250@btinternet.com or speakeanne@aol.com.