LONDON, July 9 (UPI) -- The British government has set too tight a schedule for introduction of a new school curriculum, a teachers' union says.
The new curriculum, which will be mandatory only for state schools, is to be published Tuesday, The Guardian reported.
Education Secretary Michael Gove said the new curriculum will be introduced starting next year.
But that means many students will still be following the old standards, officials said, because materials will not be ready or new exams will not be in place.
"Michael Gove continues to be in too much of a rush and seems to care more about making changes than making sure they are the right ones for children," Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said.
A draft was released in February. Changes made include reducing what critics said was an overemphasis on British history, and spoken language skills were returned to the teaching of English.
Prime Minister David Cameron praised the new curriculum.
"It is tough and rigorous and some people are worried about that, but it is the right thing to do," he said.
