Speaking in Dundee, Mr McCalman highlighted “a growing tide of concern” about the lack of funds as the August 1999 start date draws closer. The programme should not be “some half thought through, cut-price imposed innovation, ” he said.

“Teachers are concerned with a whole number of practical aspects. These include the increased workload, in particular over new assessment procedures, training needs and staffing implications.”

The union supports the principles of Higher Still but Mr McCalman stated: “The EIS will not be held responsible for a programme of reform which is botched through lack of resources.” He added: “Only individual teachers can tell what will work in their classroom and unless every teacher involved in every subject area has a full input Higher Still will fail.”