SCHOOLS have been left in "limbo" over the future of exams, the Scottish Tories have said. 

The party called for urgent clarity over whether exams will return next year and "remain in place going forward". 

Exams were cancelled for the last two years in a row due to the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Reports at the weekend suggested they will return next year, with an announcement due in the coming days.

Last week, Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said she "can't see a point where we get rid of exams entirely", despite calls for a rethink.

She suggested an announcement would be made "before the rest of the schools go back" this week.

Scottish Conservative education spokesman Oliver Mundell said exams are the "cornerstone of Scotland’s educational system".

He said: “The SNP’s Education Secretary cannot continue to drip-feed information to teachers, pupils and parents over assessment plans for this year.

“It is completely unacceptable that schools have been left in limbo as they return. 

"The failure to publish plans is yet another broken promise that confirms schools are at the bottom of the priority list.

“The delay is also downright odd given we know a document is in the works.

“Not only have the SNP presided over chaos in our exams system over the last couple of years, now they cannot even give clarity on exams before pupils get back into the classroom.

“Exams are the cornerstone of Scotland’s educational system. 

"It is imperative the SNP Government urgently clarify that exams will return in 2022 and remain in place going forward.

“Our teachers and pupils who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic deserve better than the SNP’s Education Secretary continuing to stall on making this announcement.

“Many teachers, parents and young people will rightly ask what SNP ministers have been doing all summer.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Plans for national qualifications 2022 will be announced soon.”