CALLS have been made for "alternative" online learning platforms after technical problems disrupted lessons for thousands of pupils last week.

Dunfermline councillor James Calder was contacted by constituents who he said were filled with "stress and anxiety" as they couldn't get on with important school work when they logged on for the first day of home-based learning during the current lockdown.

The Fife Liberal Dem said there needed to be alternatives to the current communication tool Microsoft Teams if there were going to be issues.

"Fife Council needs to take the time to look at other options so if there are problems there is back-up," Cllr Calder said.

"I've had families of pupils contacting me who are studying for their qualifications this year.

"They are already feeling stressed and anxious because of the current situation and they have work to do that will go towards their grades.

"It's important that we don't make this difficult for them and that teachers have the tools that are necessary."

It's emerged that glitches in Scotland’s remote learning network, Glow, went unresolved for 40 days before technical problems disrupted lessons across the country last Monday (January 11).

Issues with the delivery of online learning – which prevented pupils from joining, receiving and sending messages – were known about in early December, well before the latest lockdown began.

Glow service managers have been working with Microsoft to try to get a “bug fix” to resolve issues with Teams which is used as a communications tool within the platform.

The Scottish Government said last week it was a Microsoft Teams issue and was not unique to Scotland or indeed to schools.

Cllr Calder added: "It's really concerning and one thing is clear is that there has been a lot of time to prepare for this.

"The council was making contingency arrangements for a number of months and then learning was disrupted by these technical issues."

Dunfermline Labour councillor Garry Haldane said: "If the authorities knew that there were issues, then they should have been telling schools so they could could come up with another plan.

"It's a complete waste of children's, teachers’ and parents’ time.

"Information should have been passed on so disruption could be avoided."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reassured parents after online lessons were disrupted for thousands of learners on the first day of remote learning, saying: “Let me begin by acknowledging that today sees many teachers, parents and young people embarking on another period of home-schooling.

“There are a range of resources and support available, however, I know some of you might be having an issue this morning with Microsoft Teams.

“This is not an issue that is unique to Scotland or indeed to schools but I understand Microsoft is currently working to address it.

“But, more generally, I don’t underestimate how difficult this is both from an educational perspective, and how difficult this is for young people.”