The numbers appeared in a recent Freedom of Information request and the issue raised by Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser.

He warned that the short lifespan of many of these devices could result in a costly replacement bill in just a few years’ time.

Mr Fraser said, “Ultimately our youngsters have to learn skills that will be applicable in the world of work and being digitally literate is definitely a part of this.

“However, there is a danger of devaluing the cornerstones of traditional education if there is too great a shift towards solely using digital resources.

“The ability to write legibly and form sentences without the use of a spell/grammar checker must be protected.

“In university and school exams there are no spell/grammar checkers to help students and I would like to see the fundamentals of the English language protected.” He added, “Teacher training must also match investment in tablets as there is no point in spending thousands on iPad’s without being able to use them to their full potential.

“Furthermore, due to planned obsolescence many of these devices are not built to last and local authorities could be faced with similar bills for replacement and repair every few years which I would hope is considered when buying on this scale.” Peter McNaughton, of Fife Council, said, “Ensuring that our children and young people experience high-quality learning experiences is crucial to us in Fife. We want our children and young people to have appropriate knowledge and skills to equip them fully for learning, work and life in general.

“Our teachers use a range of teaching methods and technology, including digital devices, as part of a balanced provision of learning and teaching which aims to meet the individual needs of our learners. Digital technology is an important aspect of learning and teaching and helps our teachers to provide stimulating and often innovative learning experiences.

“Areas such as handwriting, grammar and spelling remain fundamental to our education system. Fife continues to perform well in terms of developing our children’s literacy skills.”