Pupils at all nine Moray secondary schools are set to take part in a mock independence referendum ahead of the real thing later this year.
The most important decision Scottish people have been asked to make in generations will for the first time include young people from the age of 16 – and that has prompted the Moray Youth Council to organise an educational ‘practice run’ in Moray.
Around 1500 pupils are expected to take part and is designed to encourage young people to take an interest in politics in general and the referendum in particular.
Chair of the youth council, Emmie Main, said: “Many young people are not sure which way to vote, the arguments for each side or how the voting process works.
“Our project is universal and will allow senior pupils to take part.”
Voting day for the mock poll will be June 18, three months ahead of the national referendum, with an official count held in Milne’s High School that evening. Debates outlining both sides of the argument are to be held in the days before the poll.
Head of schools and curriculum development at Moray Council, Laurence Findlay, said: “This is a very significant year for Scotland and for S5 and S6 students in our schools who will be able to vote in this year’s referendum.
“I hope the young people of Moray benefit as they prepare to cast their votes in September.”