National 5 exams have been cancelled for students in Scotland in 2021 and will be replaced with teacher assessments and coursework.
Education Secretary John Swinney made the announcement in Parliament this afternoon.
He did however confirm that Higher and Advanced Higher exams will go ahead as planned, starting slightly later as usual on May 13 next year.
Pupil's will now be alternatively graded based on their teacher's judgement and assessed work.
Mr Swinney said: “Due to the level of disruption already caused by Covid, and due to the likely disruption faced by some or all pupils and students this academic year, a full exam diet is simply too big a risk. It would not be fair.”
This news followed First Minister Nicola Sturgeons announcement of tougher new restrictions across Scotland, with Lanarkshire and five other local areas facing stricter restrictions.
This means that pubs and restaurants in these areas will have to close for two weeks, but will be allowed to offer takeaway options.
The First Minister said: “We are particularly concerned about Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire & Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley.
“Without action - and this is perhaps the starkest warning in today’s evidence paper - we are likely to return to the peak level of infections we had in the Spring by the end of this month.”
In these areas, all licensed premises - with the exception of hotels for residents - will be required to close indoors and outdoors, though takeaways will be permitted.”
