Mandatory unit assessments will be scrapped for National 5 and Higher qualifications to ease the workload for teachers.

The assessments will be replaced from 2017/18 for National 5 pupils and from 2018/19 for Higher pupils.

A strengthened final exam and externally assessed coursework replacing the assessments.

Education secretary John Swinney said the proposals are in line with the spirit of Curriculum for Excellence.

He said: "Alongside the other actions we have taken, these proposals will significantly reduce teacher workload, bureaucracy and over assessment.

"They will ensure that teachers in Scotland have more time to teach in the classroom and make the significant contribution they can to reducing the attainment gap, delivering excellence and equity in Scotland's schools and maintaining the credibility and integrity of our qualifications."

Teaching unions have called for the workload for their members to be reduced in recent months.

Members of Scotland's largest union the Educational Institute of Scotland are currently undergoing a work-to-rule protest over teachers' workload.

Another union, the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association, is balloting its members on industrial action.