Teachers: Schools not ready for new exams

The EIS fears schools are not going to be ready, with too short a timescale before they are introduced.

A spokesman for the union also warned that swingeing cuts to education by councils across Scotland were already causing teachers to struggle with the new Curriculum for Excellence, introduced last year.

He said: "This will increase pressure on both pupils and teachers, with the result that pupils might not be sufficiently prepared for these changes which could impact on pupil performance and levels of attainment.

"The EIS believes that a one-year delay in the timetable for introducing the new examinations is the best way forward."

Secondary teachers expressed concern at the lack of detail in the new information on the qualifications.

Ann Ballinger, general secretary of the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association, said: "Our initial response is surprise at the vague nature of the information available."

The information on individual courses comes after the SQA revealed which subjects would be in and out under the new system.

Environmental science, practical maths and hospitality courses are to be introduced from 2013.

Nationals 4 and 5 replace the Standard grade. However, they have attracted concern as the National 4, to be taken in third year, will have no external exam, leading critics to fear they won't be as valued by employers.

Labour's education spokesman, Des McNulty, said: "When the secondary teachers raised issues about Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) they were kicked off the management board.

"I hope that Mr Russell doesn't try the same high-handed approach with Scotland's largest teaching union. It's about time he listened to constructive criticism and took the necessary steps to address the problems being highlighted."