The minister wants more training on discipline and achievement

Education Minister Peter Peacock made the announcement after a review of the present system in Scotland's seven training institutions.

He also called for courses to give students better training in discipline and on teaching disabled children who are taught in mainstream schools.

The Scottish Executive needs to replace thousands of teachers due to retire.

Teaching practice

More flexible courses are expected to attract those unable to attend the traditional campus-based courses.

That includes men, those living in the country and older people with families and mortgages to pay.

Irene Matier, from the Association of Headteachers, said: "There's no doubt that some children relate better to male teachers.

"They behave better for them and see them as someone special in their lives because they're perhaps not used to the male role model at home."

A further change will be more in-service training after staff qualify.

We need to ensure that those who want to train to be teachers can have more opportunities to do so Peter Peacock Education Minister

And there is to be a shake-up of the present ad-hoc system of trying to match students to schools for teaching practice.

The minister said he wants new teachers to be well prepared when they start working in schools.

The primary headteachers' association said it welcomed changes but it wants the executive to consider extending the one-year course.

The education minister said Scotland had a reputation for producing high-quality teachers.

However, he said: "Our challenge is to ensure that new teachers leave university and their probation fully equipped with the skills and qualities they need to help shape the future generation of ambitious, confident Scots.

"We also need to ensure that those who want to train to be teachers can have more opportunities to do so. We can help this by removing some of the hurdles from their path.

"For instance, we know that part-time or distance learning courses are more suitable for those who simply cannot leave home to study full-time, perhaps because of work or family commitments."