BRISBANE, June 24 AAP - Queensland students from Prep to Year 10 will begin learning the new national curriculum from 2012 after an agreement between the state, Catholic and Independent schools.

Queensland Education Minister Geoff Wilson said the new curriculum in English, mathematics and science would be taught from 2012, and history from 2013.

Mr Wilson said some Queensland schools might choose to move to the national curriculum as early as next year.

He said the new national approach was one of the most significant education initiatives in decades.

"The new national curriculum applying across the country is good news for parents in Queensland," he told the ABC.

"Parents can be confident that their children are getting the best education wherever they live in Queensland, wherever they live in Australia."

-AAP