Head boy and head girl positions could be scrapped at Aberdeen schools because of gender equality laws.
City council officers are considering the move after meeting head teachers from all of the Granite City’s secondary establishments.
The way schools select pupils for the prestigious roles is being reviewed in advance of the 2017-18 term to ensure the local authority doesn’t fall foul of gender equality regulations.
Under the Equalities Act and the Gender Equality Duty which arises from it, schools are required to show they are eliminating unlawful discrimination and harassment and promoting equality between women and men.
If the changes are agreed, city schools would still promote senior pupils – they just wouldn’t be classed as “boy” or “girl”.
But the council’s finance convener Willie Young has condemned the proposal as “a load of rubbish”.
He said: “Why wouldn’t you have a head boy or head girl? This is complete and utter madness.”
SNP spokesman for education, Alex Nicoll, added: “I am sympathetic to this idea. Many don’t fit into such a simplistic gender identity at that age.
“I think head pupil is a totally appropriate title and I don’t think it’s being silly or overly politically correct.”
Changes to the system have already been introduced at some city schools, including Harlaw Academy.
Where there had previously been a head boy and a head girl, now a group of senior prefects are picked for the posts.
Aberdeen City Council confirmed the review was being carried out, but couldn’t comment further.
