Book excerpt: First published in 1993. This volume brings together writings of specialists in the key components of both the whole and the basic curriculum. It sets out to describe and discuss cultural diversity and the whole curriculum from a variety of perspectives and to consider how the concerns of ethnic groups may be addressed within the framework of the national curriculum. To this end, specialists in areas of the curriculum consider some of the challenges and describe promising practices in the secondary school. Much remains undecided concerning the structure, content, pedagogy and assessment of many components of the primary-school curriculum. Despite these considerations, the multicultural nature of the population and of schools will develop. These developments and their educational implications must be considered if the educational system is to respond adequately. Although the ‘rules of the curricular game’ are still being negotiated in relation to a number of aspects of the curriculum, the editors have deliberately ventured into this controversial field. They do so because of the increasing importance of ethnic diversity of the school population and of the country.