will be closed in September.

But yesterday education chiefs said the decision would herald forward-thinking moves to help young people with learning difficulties.

The 10 pupils from Friendship Vale will be integrated with mainstream schools.

It is part of a long-term Government drive to allow youngsters of all abilities to learn together.

The move may spark fears about needy children being bullied.

But education chiefs tried yesterday to soothe possible alarm among parents.

They said the pupils -- aged two to 17 -- would be specially prepared for their new educational adventure.

Each would undergo a "familiarisation process'' over the coming weeks.

President of Friendship Vale's Parent Teachers Association, Mr. Gary Williams, yesterday admitted some parents were shocked.

They were braced for the eventual closure of the school -- but not so soon as September, he said.

"I myself wasn't shocked. I support the move towards integration, and am excited by it,'' he admitted.

Mr. Williams, whose nine-year-old daughter Shalimar attends Friendship, even added: "It's the realisation of a dream.'' He ruled out any mass protest by parents against the closure.

Plans to integrate Bermuda's special needs youngsters into mainstream education have been in the pipeline some time.

They formed a key plank in former Education Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons' restructuring plans.

The idea was put forward by the Education Planning Team -- and Government accepted it.

Yesterday new Education Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira said similar moves were underway in North America and the United Kingdom.

There was an increasing international acceptance of the benefits of integration.

It led to greater personal fulfilment, than segregation. Dr. Terceira admitted there had been some resistance to the early closure of Friendship. "Naturally people don't like change, particularly when it comes to such a sensitive issue.

"When moms and teachers are comfortable they don't like anything disruptive.

But we make change in order to have progress.'' The Friendship youngsters are to be transferred to Elliott Primary, Prospect Primary, Dellwood Primary, and Northlands Secondary.

Permanent Secretary to the Education Ministry, Dr. Marion Robinson, stressed the four schools already had facilities for the needy.

And Friendship teachers would move with the youngsters to help them cope with their new environment.

It was a question of carefully matching individuals with the school.

Dr. Robinson explained the early closure of Friendship had been brought on by special circumstances.

Four youngsters were already preparing to enter mainstream education.

It would have left the school with too few pupils to make it worth continuing.

Dr. Robinson also pointed out suitable placements for the youngsters had also been found.

"I think it's really critical for Bermuda that integration is a success,'' she added.

The school's acting principal Mrs. Karen Simons-Williams said she was totally behind the integration drive.

Mrs. Simons-Williams added she would remain with the Education Ministry to monitor the progress of youngsters.

Mrs. Joanne Smith, senior education officer for student services, believed the youngsters would be welcomed by their new classmates.