The national curriculum, which Premier Jennifer Smith as Shadow Education Minister had always called for, is well on its way.

Education Minister Milton Scott said the Ministry has curricula for all levels of public schools.

"We are now in the process of codifying them so that they can be put into one document that will be easy to understand,'' Sen. Scott said.

The document will be divided into subject areas, which according to the Minister, will clearly lay out exactly what subject matter will need to be completed in each area.

The Premier's aim in having a national curriculum was to ensure that across the board there was clear understanding of what students were learning in the various levels of primary, middle and high schools.

Sen. Scott pointed out that individual schools and principals will have autonomy on how the various subjects will be delivered and taught to students.

He added that specific text books for each subject will not be made mandatory.

"A broad body of knowledge will be listed in the description,'' Sen. Scott said. "This means that different texts may be used at different schools as teachers will be under the direction of their school principals who will have autonomy.'' The implementation of a national curriculum does not mean that all students in the public school system will be taught everything, but it does mean that all will have equal access to the same courses.

Sen. Scott pointed out that due to an individual's differing likes, career objectives, and intellectual capability, their choices are bound to vary.