Fife Council has defended its decision to keep dozens of primary school polling stations open on General Election day.
More than 30 schools across the region will stay open to children on May 7 while also being used as places to vote.
Some parents took to social media to expressed their concern about the decision.
Shirley Macdonald from Dunfermline said: “What on earth is the point of having a secure entry system if anyone will be able to walk into the school unchallenged on polling day?
“I feel that Fife Council would be putting a huge number of children at risk by having classes in session while polling takes place.”
Yolanda Pearson said: “I have never understood the use of schools for voting! Why do we need to use schools? There are plenty council buildings and community centres that can surely be used?”
The council’s head of democratic services, Linda Bissett, insisted the general feedback had been positive.
“During recent by-elections in Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes, we trialled the dual use of schools resulting in certain parts of the schools being used for polling but all remaining parts of the schools being open to staff and pupils as normal.
“Overall, the feedback was positive and so we have decided to extend the pilot to other schools, where viable, for the UK Parliamentary Election in May.
“Some schools, for various reasons … will not be suitable for joint occupancy.
However, if schools are to be open as normal on polling day, parents and carers will be informed via a schoolbag drop letter. Head teachers have also been briefed and will be happy to answer any questions parents/carers may have.
“We’ve had a lot of feedback from head teachers who are keen to keep schools open and also from parents as closing schools can lead to child care difficulties.”