To regain time lost during lockdown with eight extra hours in class every week

Association, described it as a “nice notion, but unrealistic”. He said: “Teachers already work long hours preparing, correcting and followingup the pupils. This burden is also increased by the excessive bureaucracy that has been added to the job of a teacher over a number of years.

“Secondly, and more importantly, pupils would not be able to cope with eight additional hours of study. The school day is already too long for many in terms of maintaining performance. Imagine trying to motivate pupils late in the afternoon after the school day. Most teachers dread the last class in the afternoon. That is why schools usually have short afternoons.”

He added: “The focus should be on quality education rather than the stretching the day. Constructive suggestions such as reducing class sizes, increasing the number of teachers and other education workers would only make a difference. Individual support for those who have missed out the most would help plus having that latest ICT equipment.”

Jim Thewliss, general secretary of School Leaders Scotland, said: “I think it would be very demanding on young people to increase the school day from five-and-a-half hours a day to seven-and-a-half hours. Also, teachers are already hard-pressed in making sure distance learning is running well and young people are getting the greatest opportunity to learn in unforeseen circumstances that they possibly can. It would put an intolerable burden on the workforce.” The Scottish Government said: “This proposal is very radical and would be difficult for very many families to accommodate. We do recognise, however, the need to look at bold ideas and, while local authorities determine the length of the school day, there is an interesting debate to be had around how best to help tackle the impacts of Covid.”