All secondary school pupils in Scotland could be asked to self-test for coronavirus as fears grow of a potential spike in cases when kids return to the classroom.
At present a small number of children in S4-S6 who attend school for practical work are offered kits to test themselves.
During an update to parliament last week Nicola Sturgeon said all pupils in Scotland should return following the Easter holidays if cases remain low across the country.
It comes as lateral flow testing devices will be used for all staff and senior pupils during the phased return.
Latest advice from Scottish Government scientists states that kids as young as 11 could be told to test ahead a return.
They said: "There may be value in extending this approach to all secondary-age pupils in some circumstances, for example, in area of higher prevalence."
Primary 1 to 3 pupils went back to the classroom a number of weeks ago, while P4 to 7 and will return on March 15.
There will be a phased return for secondary school children from the same date, however following the Easter holidays everyone should be back to face-to-face teaching.
In the lead up to the return the First Minister said online resources would be "enhanced" and continue to be available over the coming month.
She said: "We will work with Education Scotland to ensure that enhanced online resources continue to be available over the coming month.
"And we will work with local authorities to support young people’s wellbeing in other ways - for example, by providing more opportunities for outdoor learning."
A Scottish Government spokesman said the testing arrangements "are being kept under review".
He said: “Testing is targeted at where it is likely to be most effective. The arrangements in schools are being kept under review.”
It comes as no new deaths were announced by the Scottish Government in the last 24-hour period. Since the start of the pandemic a total of 7,421 people have died in Scotland after returning a positive test.
In the same time period 390 people tested positive for the deadly virus. Since March last year 205,498 people have returned a positive test.
There are currently 628 people in hospitals across the country while 61 patients remain in Intensive Care Units.
As of Sunday morning 1,759,750 people had received the first dose of the Covid vaccination and 115,930 had received their second jab.
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