YET another battle is brewing between teaching unions and the Scottish Government.

On top of the likely impasse over stagnating pay and the disquiet over the introduction of standardised national testing there is now the issue of fast-track teaching degrees.

The Scottish Government has acted because of concern over shortages of staff in key subjects including so-called Stem areas of science and mathematics.

Given the importance of these to the economy it is understandable that ministers are looking at ways to attract graduates into teaching.

One of the concerns about the current two year postgraduate course is that it is unattractive to science graduates who can secure well-paid work elsewhere.

Given the government has already ruled out the sort of lucrative bursaries available to science teachers in England, speeding up the process is one of the few options available.

The General Teaching Council for Scotland has been at pains to say the new fast-track option at Dundee University maintains the high standards expected of teacher education.

However, it is clear the Educational Institute of Scotland and some of those who work in universities have grave reservations.

Larry Flanagan, EIS general secretary, has already warned that car mechanics will spend longer learning their trade than teachers under new fast-track options.

The latest warning highlights concerns a 12 month teaching qualification will leave new recruits struggling to cope.

And the issue is far from being resolved. As part of a wider strategy John Swinney, the Education Secretary, has unveiled plans to allow organisations other than universities to educate teachers for the first time with the controversial Teach First organisation in the wings.

Although successful bidders must work in partnership universities, the latest row is a curtain raiser to a much more fundamental disagreement over the primacy of universities in teacher education.