The schedule for the new school curriculum for Fiji has been withdrawn by the interim cabinet after submission by the interim Education Minister yesterday morning.

Bole said Cabinet had earlier approved the implementation plan which committed the curriculum for the entire school system from kindergarten through primary and secondary school up to Form Seven level beginning in 2009.

However Bole said it is considered prudent at this time to withdraw the plan due to inadequate preparation on key professional issues and both AusAid and the Fiji Educational Sector Program's local manager and Australian partners have been consulted on the concerns and issues raised by the ministry.

Bole said the ongoing review of the Fiji Educational Sector Program has also raised some queries and reservations on components of the curriculum project.

The interim minister said that a totally new AusAid education sector program will follow this current phase and it would, therefore be prudent to wait for the Ausaid Review Report and the new directions to be taken in the next phase.