A FLAGSHIP Scottish ­Government qualification designed to increase participation in sciences and languages has failed to spark the interest of pupils.

New figures show the take-up of two key Scottish Baccalaureates has fallen over the past year, despite efforts to raise their profile in schools and universities.

This year, just 32 pupils took the languages baccalaureate, down from 34 the previous year, and only 142 completed the science qualification, a reduction from 148 in 2012.

There was also very little ­interest in two new baccalaureates in the expressive arts and social sciences, with just five pupils sitting the former and 12 the latter.

Eileen Prior, executive director of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council, said the qualifications did not have the same level of appeal as Highers and Advanced Highers.

She said: "It would seem ­something is going awry. Either it is not being embraced at school level or schools are not being successful in inspiring young people to take the opportunity.

"We hear little from parents about the baccalaureate and it would seem schools and universities will have to do much more to promote the qualification to youngsters and their families."

A spokesman for the ­EIS ­teaching union said there were still issues over equality of access to the programme.

However, a Scottish ­Government spokesman argued baccalaureates were now getting recognition from universities in their prospectuses.

He added: "Designed to meet the needs of only our most able learners, the baccalaureate will never be a mass market qualification. The Scottish Qualifications Authority is working with schools to promote the enhanced skills which it develops."