Students with complex learning difficulties who face travelling outside north-east Fife from next year could drop out of education, it is feared.
When Fife College withdraws from Elmwood Campus its supported learning programme in Cupar will be transferred to Glenrothes.
Although only 12 miles further, it is claimed the longer journey to unfamiliar surroundings may be a step too far for some vulnerable young people.
The college, which is to cut almost 4,000 student places across the region, announced last December that it will quit Elmwood, where most courses are run by Scotland’s Rural College.
Principal Hugh Logan has confirmed the supported learning programme will be delivered in Glenrothes but said discussions were ongoing to provide support closer to home when necessary.
North-east Fife councillors voiced worries about the impact on disabled young people, including graduating pupils of Kilmaron School in Cupar.
Cupar councillor Karen Marjoram said: “These individuals need a lot of support. For people who can only comfortably travel for a limited time, it’s going to prevent them participating in education, which is a huge concern.”
Tay Bridgehead councillor Maggie Taylor said: “Kids who have been at Kilmaron School for years and have moved on to Fife College are used to travelling from around north-east Fife but to travel to Glenrothes is a huge, huge step.
“I know of one at least who will not be able to travel there on his own.”
Mr Logan said: “We are committed to north-east Fife, we are just not committed to a building in Cupar.
“Our funding has reduced by £5 million over the past three or four years. The current college estate is financially unsustainable.”
The college hoped to be able to develop services in north-east Fife secondary schools and have involvement with the St Andrews University energy centre in Guardbridge, he added.
He also said cases needed to be considered individually and “we are looking at options for providing services close to home where necessary and where appropriate”.
The principal admitted the situation was “not perfect” and said the college was unable to “do all things”.
But he said: “The commitment I can give is to protection of the curriculum for that client base. We are working with colleagues in social work to try to ensure that transport links are there.
“Our focus will be in Glenrothes, where we have a hefty capacity for supported learning and we expect to build on that capacity.”
Mr Logan said identifying transport schemes was a priority for the college.
“There is a lot of discussion regarding student funding and how transport can be best integrated into the funding package so it becomes much more accessible for students in north-east Fife.”