AFTER their morally-corrupt handling of the care homes situation, the county council is now to turn its attention to the closing of special schools.

Your report (LET, August 8) says that the government has ordered the education authorities to stop placing pupils in 'institutionalised' surroundings.

The placing of children with special needs into mainstream education must inevitably lead to the closure of schools specially catering for them.

The announcement was accompanied by verbal garbage which said: "Inclusion is about the school (mainstream) fitting in around the child!"

To compound this, 'consultation' will take place in the same way in which the council consulted people on its plans for the closure of care homes. Which statement would be risible if it weren't contemptible.

Many questions arise about the functioning of the council; but one of them must be: How much are they compelled to follow the edicts of the government? Is it really so much of a totalitarian state?

I have been involved in education, both in an organisational capacity and at the cutting edge, for many years, having taught and lectured at junior, secondary and tertiary level -- not to mention at three of the special schools listed in your report.

From personal experience, I know that children with certain learning difficulties can be greatly assisted by being given regular personal assistance in mainstream schools, although if not conducted properly, this can be disruptive to classes and permanent staff.

I also know that many children with disabilities of differing kinds need the full time support and attention which they receive at the excellent special schools.

Special schools must be retained at all costs.

R BRACEWELL (Mr), Ormerod Street, Worsthorne, Burnley.