SCOTTISH pupils are shunning a controversial qualification which has no external examination, new figures show.
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) reported a six per cent decline for National 4 subjects this year with entries dropping from 130,876 to 122,961.
When National 4s were introduced in 2014 as part of the scrapping of Standard Grade the SQA argued they would be seen as the equal of other qualifications and would test problem-solving, leadership and team working in a classroom environment.
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However, more recently teaching unions and parents warned the qualification had led to groups of pupils viewing themselves as "second class citizens" because there is no exam.
The decline came as more than 140,000 pupils across the country received their exam results for Nationals, Highers, Advanced Highers and Scottish Baccalaureates.
The SQA revealed that overall pass rates fell at National, Higher and Scottish Baccalaureates, but despite the drop record numbers of Scots have secured entry to higher education - including an increase in the proportion from the poorest areas in the country.
Last night, teaching unions called for an urgent review of National 4 to ensure it was seen as the equal of other qualifications such as the more advanced National 5, which has an external exam.
Seamus Searson, general secretary of the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association, said: "Because there is no external assessment it means that the National 4 qualification lacks credibility for young people.
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"It creates a two-tier system where parents want their children to sit National 5 and feel disappointed if they are entered at National 4 and we need an external assessment in National 4 to give it a proper status. Pupils are voting with their feet."
However, Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland, suggested the decline could be down to the fact too many pupils were entered last year.
He said: "Teachers have concerns about National 4 and there are discussions about whether to reintroduce an external exam, but it may be that these figures show a correction from 2015 when pupils were entered for too many qualifications as part of a belt and braces approach."
Gill Stewart, director of qualifications for the SQA, said it was important National 4 exams were seen as worthy by pupils and teachers.
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She said: "When we implemented these qualifications it was done with the best intentions because young people at those levels don't always cope particularly well with exams.
"The Scottish Government has already agreed to look again at the design of these qualifications and, while we don't know what the outcome of that will be, one of the things on the table will be whether we need an external exam at National 4. It is a bit of a split camp with divided opinion, but we are clear that it is an important qualification going forward."
Meanwhile, there was concern after a maths qualification which was supposed to promote the practical side of the subject has recorded one of the lowest pass rates this year.
Only 35 per cent of pupils passed the National 5 Lifeskills Mathematics Course which enables learners to apply mathematical ideas and strategies to managing their finances as well as statistics, geometry and measurement.
Ms Stewart said some pupils thought the exam would be easy compared to others adding: ""It is not a good pass rate, but there is nothing wrong with the exam.
"People tend to think it is an easy option in comparison to normal maths, but it is at the same level of difficulty. It is a matter of concern that pupils who are being presented for the National 5 should be being presented at a lower level."
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