The Scottish Executive is being asked to end the uncertainty over the funding of grant-aided schools.

The seven schools, including Donaldson's College for the Deaf and the Royal Blind School, provide specialist teaching for children with severe physical or behavioural difficulties.

But the Scottish Executive has indicated that it wants to remove the grant aid, and transfer the money to local councils.

The grant-aided schools each provide specialist teaching for children from across Scotland.

Some have multiple disabilities while others have emotional and behavioural problems.

Half of the schools' funding comes from a grant from the Scottish Executive.

Security worries

The rest is made up in fees paid by local councils.

The executive has said it wants to change the way the schools are funded.

It plans to remove grant aid and give the money to the local councils instead.

The special schools say without grant aid they will have no financial security.

They will be forced to double their fees, and if their incomes drop, they will have to stop some of the work they do.

Current grant aid arrangements will continue until March next year.

However, ministers are meeting with the schools on Wednesday and it is expected that a decision about their future funding will follow the talks.