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Teachers could work a "flexible" four-day teaching week under new proposals announced by the Scottish government.
Plans also include reduced classroom contact time with pupils and agreed national minimum standards for pupil learning hours.
These could enable later start times, extended breaks, or restructured school days.
Scotland's education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said it demonstrated a "clear commitment" to teachers. But the EIS union said was "not aware" of how a flexible four-day week would work.
The EIS and NASUWT unions are currently balloting members on strike action over a failure to reduce class contact time - periods when teachers are directly teaching pupils.
At the last Holyrood election, the SNP promised to cut contact time by 90 minutes a week to give teachers more time for activities such as lesson preparation and marking.
It would also provide more capacity to help pupils with additional support needs (ASN).
The Scottish government said a flexible four-day week teaching model could offer a dedicated day for "professional activities".
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Gilruth said the proposals showed a "clear commitment to teachers"
The education secretary said the plans, along with a new pay deal, would form a new "National Deal" for teachers.
Gilruth said: "It is a statement of intent to empower Scotland's teachers with the time, trust and tools they need to deliver transformative learning.
"By investing in teacher capacity, the aim is to create richer learning experiences and raise standards for every learner.
"Working together, we can shape a future where reduced class contact time is not just a logistical change but a catalyst for deeper professional engagement, improved wellbeing, and better outcomes for every learner."
A survey by the EIS in June found the workload in schools was "unfair, unhealthy and unsustainable".
Teachers said they were rarely or never able to do the work, preparation and correcting they had been asked to do within their working week.
Ongoing delays
EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said the promised 90-minute reduction in class contact time was a "red line for teachers".
She said teachers should be trusted to use this time as they see fit.
"There can be no government or employer diktat over how this time should be utilised by teachers," she added.
Ms Bradley told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme that the union was not aware of how a flexible four-day week would be implemented.
She said the Scottish government's proposals did "not amount to a plan that can be properly scrutinised" and said it would not affect the EIS strike ballot.
NASUWT said it was pleased with the proposals but it needed "assurance that teachers will have the responsibility for deciding how such time should be used".
A spokesperson added: "Our members are frustrated at the ongoing delays in the delivery of a clear Scottish government promise to them, which is why we have opened a ballot on industrial action on this matter."
