THE number of pupils sitting maths and core science subjects at Higher has suffered a shock decline after several years of progress.

New figures show there were 1,700 fewer entries for physics, chemistry and maths Highers in 2015 - with numbers dropping from 43,478 in 2014 to 41,747.

The drop of four per cent has come amidst repeated warnings that Scotland is facing a shortage of pupils leaving school with the required skills in so-called Stem subjects to meet Scotland's economic needs.

It is particularly disappointing because entries in key sciences and maths have been on the increase since 2011.

Experts believe the drop is down to a number of factors including perceptions that science subjects are more difficult to study.

There is also concern that an unintended consequence of the new Curriculum for Excellence is that pupils are taking fewer subjects in the early years of secondary, reducing their options at Higher.

The decline sparked concern from Keir Bloomer, deputy convener of the education committee of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland's national academy of science and letters.

He said: "We have been struggling to get an increase in people doing sciences over a significant period of time and this is a depressing outcome.

"Most people are agreed that in terms of economic impact the uptake of sciences is vastly more important that the uptake of modern languages.

"It surprises me that we have not been more worried about the state of science and maths in the primary sector and if we are serious about exposing young people to sciences at an early age then we have to either get quality inputs from the outside or make science and maths Highers a requirement to be a primary teacher."

Iain Gray, Scottish Labour's education spokesman, said the Scottish Government was facing a "perfect storm" in science subjects.

He said: "The fall in Stem is simply the latest warning sign. We spend less per pupil than England does on science teaching in both primary and secondary schools.

"Schools are finding it difficult to recruit teachers of Stem subjects and numeracy skills are in decline and funding for science societies and science festivals has been cut.

"Scottish Labour has already raised concerns about the narrowing of the curriculum in S3 and S4, resulting in a drop in enrolments in Stem subjects at National 4 and National 5 and this appears now to have had an impact on Stem Highers."

However, the Scottish Government said underlying trends were positive.

A spokeswoman said: "We recognise the importance of Stem education in equipping young people with vital knowledge and skills to contribute to society and the economy.

"With curriculum body Education Scotland, we are providing a range of support to both primary and secondary schools to deliver science within Curriculum for Excellence.

"The Scottish Government has also made a firm commitment to improving numeracy, together with literacy and health and wellbeing, as the key foundations for learning."

Previous studies have shown that science teaching in schools is being underfunded by £8 million every year.

The prestigious Learned Societies Group, which includes the Royal Society of Edinburgh, estimated the annual science budget of an average secondary school should be some £30,000 - five times more than the actual average budget of £5,590.

In addition, a major international study found Scotland’s school pupils were lagging behind international competitors in maths and science, and there was also concern that industry would not be able to find enough qualified engineers in the future.

As a result, the Scottish Science Advisory Committee concluded there was an “urgent need” to improve science education in Scottish schools to make it more relevant and exciting.