WATCH: Children's Minister questions spending priorities after visiting "horrific" Dingwall special needs school

Scotland's Children's Minister says Highland Council's got questions to answer over its school spending priorities.

Maree Todd's calling on the local authority to make sure its budget supports kids' rights to education, after visiting a special needs school in Dingwall described by parents as "horrific".

St. Clement's parent council member Christyna Ferguson invited the Scottish Government minister, who's also a Highland MSP, to visit the Ross-shire educational facility.

Christyna told MFR News: "Our very vulnerable children who have multiple and complex needs have been subjected to the most horrific and appalling conditions, and lack of facilities.

"The corridors are narrow. There are no hoists, which vastly limit the children in wheelchairs. Access by the front door causes a lot of problems for the children who are in wheelchairs.

"It is our expectation that the Highland Council will agree to secure the appropriate funding required to built a brand new, purpose built, standalone special school.

"The powers that be have sat back for so long, to make the choice that St. Clement's and its vulnerable children are not a priority, and it is not how the vast majority of Highland people would wish disabled children to be treated."

LISTEN: News reader John Rose brings you our reporter Bryan Rutherford's extended report in the 1pm bulletin on MFR 2...

"St. Clement's and its vulnerable children are not a priority...it is not how...people would wish disabled children to be treated" - PARENT COUNCIL MEMBER

In a statement the local authority says: 'The Council is currently reviewing its capital programme, the outcome of which should confirm a capital investment plan for the next five years.

'Investment in St Clements (and other Highland schools) is being considered as part of that process.'

Speaking after the meeting on Monday, Maree Todd told MFR News: "There are a number of obvious issues as you walk around the school.

"There are areas where it's damp.

"There are areas where there are no blinds on the windows so kids raise the fact that they can't see the whiteboard because the light can't be blocked out.

"This is an old Victorian building.

"There are clearly access difficulties for anyone who might be in a wheelchair.

"At the moment one of the blocks is closed because the heating isn't working.

"I'll speak to the folks in Highland Council.

"I will ask them about the level of priority they're giving to repairing, or perhaps replacing some of the building.

"From a children's rights perspective I'll hopefully encourage them to look at the rights of these children to education."

The Capital Plan will be presented to Highland Councillors on March 8th for approval.