In a straight swop, the under-fire Education Secretary will change places with Culture Secretary Mike Russell.

Mr Salmond himself will take on responsibility for the constitution and the Referendum Bill to be introduced early in the New Year – another of Mr Russell’s responsibilities.

Opposition leaders have been calling for Fiona Hyslop to be sacked as Education Secretary for months because of the Government’s failure to meet class size cuts and the loss of more than 2000 teachers since the SNP came to power.

Mr Salmond said: “Schools policy has reached a difficult period with our disagreement with many local authorities about their failure to reduce class sizes by sustaining teacher numbers, while we have achieved a new record low in primary school class sizes.

“It is appropriate that a fresh look is taken at this and other schooling issues to break the impasse for the benefit of parents, teachers and children. I believe that Michael Russell can bring new thinking to this tough task.

“Fiona Hyslop will do an excellent job as Minister for Culture and External Affairs, and will take responsibility for the Joint Ministerial Committees and for liaison with the Westminster Government and with Europe. There are key issues arising regarding changes in the terms of the JMC arrangements, and Fiona Hyslop will seek to secure a better deal for Scotland.”