Special schools in regional Victoria have remained open for face-to-face classes, despite other schools in the state returning to remote learning on August 5.

A Department of Education and Training spokesperson said the advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer was that schools were safe places to teach and learn.

But a person from a Bendigo special school community, who did not want to be named, said they were concerned students and staff were at risk.

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"It's not a criticism of leadership at the school as they are doing an outstanding job in unprecedented times," the person said. "We just feel like we have been overlooked at a state level.

"The main concern is that we've seen with other schools around the state - and at a local level with St Joseph's - how contagious this virus is and how quickly it can spread, yet we're still open.

"I know there could be a number of students who are vulnerable health-wise. If there was an outbreak like the one at other schools, that could have a huge impact on the school community.

"If schools are safe, how could the virus have spread so quickly in other schools?"

Both the Bendigo Special Developmental School and Kalianna School Bendigo confirmed about half of their students were choosing to stay at home, despite face-to-face learning continuing.

The principals said the schools were only able to provide limited remote learning resources for those children who were staying home.

Australian Education Union Victorian Branch Vice President Briley Stokes said the government needed to work with special schools on a case-by-case basis.

"Special school principals, teachers, and support staff are incredibly skilled at what they do," Ms Stokes said. "It's an incredibly difficult job that is so vital to the education system.

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"They know how to offer the best support. It shouldn't be a blanket policy that every student in a special school should learn on-site.

"We know some students found it a challenge the first time around, but many also found it as a benefit - that's exactly the same as mainstream students.

"Schools can accommodate those differences. We should be enabling schools to make the decision about whether or not to move to remote learning so they can respond to the needs of all of their students."

A Department of Education and Training spokesperson said the government made the decision to keep special schools open after consulting with families.

"The clear feedback from parents of children with disabilities was that the option of on-site attendance for their children was particularly important for their learning and development," the spokesperson said.

"This has been provided for in the stage three restrictions.

"Any parent of a child with disabilities who wishes to keep their child at home can do so, and schools can provide learning materials and activities for that child to undertake at home.

"All schools, including specialist schools, continue to follow the advice of the Victorian Chief Health Officer.

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"This includes a range of measures to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission and to ensure that schools remain safe teaching and learning environments."

But the person from a Bendigo special school community said the current arrangements were not fair on the students and staff.

"If parents keep their kids at home, they don't have the full remote learning options," the person said.

"While schools remain open, there may not be the resources for teachers to provide both remote and on-site classes for students."

Ms Stokes said the issues the Bendigo staff member addressed were being reflected across the state.

"Parents have been voting with their feet," she said. "We say the issue doesn't need to be so black and white.

"We don't debate the health advice more broadly. But special schools are all unique and the education department should enable schools to offer flexible learning.

"The policy position that you all need to come on-site means that students are missing out."

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