THE latest changes to mathematics qualifications have left teachers “demoralised” and are making it harder for pupils to pass, according to experts.

The concerns over National qualifications were raised by the Mathematics Advisory Group Scotland in a letter to John Swinney, the Education Secretary.

Teachers feel there is too big a gap between National 4 and National 5 qualifications for pupils to make a transition, the group said.

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The letter adds that this “excludes hard-working candidates” who want to improve their maths skills, but struggle with National 5.

Figures from last summer show more than a quarter of National 5 entries resulted in pupils gaining no award compared with just eight per cent of candidates studying English.

The group also highlighted the removal of internal classroom assessments announced by Mr Swinney in September as part of measures to reduce the assessment burden on pupils and teacher workload.

Following the removal of the unit assessments the SQA took the decision to move elements of them into beefed up final exams or other coursework.

However, the move has led to confusion over what will be in final exams and has also removed an element of the qualification that would allow pupils to gain a National 4 if they fail at National 5.

These changes, the maths group said, were adding to perceptions amongst pupils that maths was a “difficult” subject which should be avoided.

The concern comes after the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association last week wrote to Mr Swinney asking for an urgent review of the changes to National 5.

An SSTA survey showed 63 per cent of members believed the SQA changes would result in an increase in workload.

An SQA spokesman told the Times Educational Supplement Scotland: “We welcome and regularly seek the views of teachers.

“National 5 is within the parameters of difficulty which we would expect for subjects at this level.”

The spokesman said perceptions of maths being “more difficult” than other subjects was also affected by teacher methodology, level of attainment reached in the first three years of secondary and the amount of teaching time allocated to maths.

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A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We always listen to the views of teachers and changes to the qualifications represent a considerable reduction in workload.

“Thousands of professionals were involved in the development and refinement of the qualifications, including maths teachers.

“The Scottish Government, SQA and Education Scotland continue to work with them, to ensure that our young people have the best possible opportunities to attain to the highest level possible.”