Victorian branch president Mary Bluett said the Government needed to provide sufficient time for the national curriculum to be reviewed by teachers, and she was concerned it was being rushed into schools. A consultation period will end in May, with the program to be introduced next year.

"The imperative is a political one rather than a genuine education one," Ms Bluett said.

"For the sake of another 12 months, it would be wise for the Deputy Prime Minister [Julia Gillard] to take a little bit longer to get it right."

Ms Bluett said the national curriculum for maths, science, English and history for year 9 and 10 students was "content heavy", and left little time for subjects such as languages and geography.

Winston Tan