Cabinet has approved the submission made by the Interim Education Minister to implement a new language policy in schools.

The language policy which is expected to be implemented from next year will be based on the use of Fijian, Hindi and English as a long term and substainable strategy for a peaceful, multi-ethnic cultural living in Fiji.

The Interim Education Minister, Netani Sukanaivalu said that this programme will begin in 2008 at class 5 and at Form 3 levels.

The course structure would include two components, conversational Fijian or Hindi starting at beginners level progressing into intermediate and advance level and a component on basic culture studies, Fijian culture or a Hindi culture.

Sukanaivalu said that the programme is to begin from Class 5 because Classes 1 to 4 mainly focus on socializing the child in to the schooling process.

Certificates will be provided to students after the completion of study at each level and after passing the assessment tests.