EIS delegates have backed boycott calls

Last month delegates at the annual meeting of the EIS - Scotland's largest teaching union - voted to boycott next year's Higher Still assessments.

Teachers have warned they are being swamped by the extra work the new exams are generating.

Union officials said they would push for a ballot of all members if Education Minister Jack McConnell fails in his pledge to lessen the burden.

Coursework has become an integral part of the Higher Still qualification in an attempt to take some of the emphasis off exams.

Candidates now have to pass at least three internal assessments before they are allowed to sit their final paper.

Many parents questioned in a survey by the SPTC said internal assessments were good in theory.

'Excess' coursework

However, if a student is taking five Highers over one year - which is usually the maximum - the workload becomes intolerable.

The SPTC said the excess of coursework and tests means there is little time left for learning.

One of the suggestions is to make four subjects the normal maximum - a solution which would not necessarily suit all pupils.

This year's exams results will be delivered next month, with ministers and educationalists hoping that the Scottish Qualifications Authority can avoid a repeat of last year's problems.

Thousands of pupils received late, incorrect or incomplete results last summer.