The position was created under the McCrone agreement to keep experienced teachers in the classroom.

But the Educational Institute of Scotland has called for more funding to make the training costs affordable.

To reach chartered status and the higher salary it brings, teachers have to complete 12 modules.

Ongoing talks

The first of the modules are due to be launched next year.

But the EIS, which is Scotland's largest teaching union, fears each module could cost more than £600 and that that could put off many teachers.

The Scottish Executive said talks about funding the chartered teacher programme are ongoing, but that the financial incentives that come with chartered status will far outweigh any financial outlay from teachers.

Meanwhile, the EIS said a survey of almost 500 headteachers shows the vast majority of them are happy with the way staff are handling the new 35 hour working week.

Only 6% reported cases where teachers refused to work beyond the hours set out in the McCrone Deal.