TEACHERS' leaders have made an urgent appeal to the Scottish Government for up to £3 million to pay for up-to-date text books to support the country's new school qualifications.

The Educational Institute of ­Scotland (EIS) teaching union argues secondary schools do not have sufficient classroom materials for the National 4 and National 5 exams - less than a year before pupils sit them.

Officials say changes to almost all subject courses mean new text books are needed, but funding for such resources is at the same level as previous years.

The last major curriculum reform of Higher Still in 1991 was phased in over three years and schools were given dedicated funds to support its roll-out.

Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the EIS, is now seeking immediate talks with Michael Russell, the Education Secretary, to lobby for the extra cash.

"Half the stock of material that schools have is redundant," said Mr Flanagan.

"At the end of a normal school year, schools replace damaged text books and other material and set aside money for when a wider range of new materials is necessary, but we are talking about a much more significant change.

"Nearly every subject has some changes in it.

"We have an immediate demand for extra money from the Government for these materials."

However, a spokesman for the Scottish Government suggested ministers were unlikely to listen to any requests for more funding.

The spokesman said: "We do not envisage the advent of National 4 and National 5 exams to place additional pressure on resources."

The call comes at the start of a vital year for the Scottish education system, with new National qualifications replacing Standard Grades, as part of the Curriculum for Excellence.

EIS members have already threatened to throw the curriculum into chaos with strike action before the end of the year.