TEACHERS have welcomed the publication of support materials to help deliver controversial new school exams.

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) said the online resources, published by quango Education Scotland, was a big step forward.

Teachers have been concerned over the introduction of National 4 and National 5 exams, which replace Standard Grades next year.

Last month, a survey by the EIS found more than half of teachers lacked confidence that schools were ready to deliver the new exams, brought in as part of the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) initiative.

Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the EIS, said: "Teachers across Scotland will be encouraged by the availability of these new resources which will support the on-going process of CfE implementation in our schools.

"The EIS also welcomes the commitment from Education Scotland to meet the identified resource needs to support CfE delivery across the country.

"Schools are working hard to deliver CfE, and these new materials will be valuable tools to allow Scotland's teachers to get on with this essential job."

Dr Bill Maxwell, chief executive of Education Scotland, said all the material has been developed "by teachers for teachers".

He said: "This rich collection of support materials will be invaluable for schools and I am very pleased that many education professionals are already making good use of the resources we have been issuing progressively over the past few months."