But they welcomed plans for a major overhaul of the curriculum for children aged 3 to 18.

Members of the Marr Area Committee, meeting at Finzean this week, were responding to a review of curriculum policies for all Aberdeenshire schools, expected to come into effect in 2010.

A report on the review said that it was designed to make the curriculum "fit for purpose to meet the needs of Aberdeenshire's 21st century learners."

Councillors expressed concerns that currently too much emphasis was being placed on passing exams and not enough time was apparently being spent on equipping pupils with the basic skills of reading, writing and arithmetic.

And they said also that many parents in rural areas might find it difficult to cope with the academic half-day it was proposed to take out of the school week.

Councillor Marcus Humphrey said that his principle concern was that the levels of literacy and numeracy were not currently as good as they should be and he would like to see that area of teaching being addressed.

And he said that the proposal for a 4 and a half day week needed to be carefully thought through, since many parents worked all day.

Councillor Jill Webster said that, as an employer, she also was concerned about more time being devoted to teaching the three Rs of reading, writing and arithmetic.

She would like to see also more vocational training, geared to local industries.

Councillor Luffman said that one system did not fit all and the needs of rural children were often different from those of children in urban areas.

And the issue of changing the school week could have a significant impact on transport provision, which he said was currently costing the authority about £12m a year.

Councillor Karen Clark said that she believed the consultation period for the proposed new curriculum was too short – it is due to end in October.

She said that many parents "don't know what they are signing up to" and needed more information.

Councillor Linda Clark said that some people were concerned that with a half day in the school week, children would be "marauding round the streets."

She did not think that would happen but the Council had to work at making the proposed changes a success.

Councillor Peter Argyle said that he was not convinced about the benefits arising out of the proposed curriculum changes and could see them being very unpopular with some parents.

But Councillor Alastair Ross said that while the changes might create controversy he welcomed them.

Half days in the school week were common in some European countries, said Councillor Joanna Strathdee and the half-day did not have to be on a Friday. In France it was on a Wednesday.

And she said that she would welcome the curriculum changes if they produced more "work-ready, life-activity pupils." The tendency at present was to "get pupils trained for exams."

Laura Mason, Head of Service for Education, Learning and Leisure, said that they needed time to plan how best to use the proposed short day and the authority was working with other authorities in the US, Europe and Edinburgh, in producing the new curriculum.

The committee gave its approval to the proposals, subject to the comments made by members.