Curriculum Review: Nigeria Secondary Schools to now Offer Chinese Language- Mandarin- FCT

Curriculum Review: Nigeria Secondary Schools to now Offer Chinese Language- Mandarin- FCT

By: Michael Mike

The Chinese language, Mandarin has been added as one of the foreign languages to be offered in Senior Secondary Schools across the country in the newly reviewed secondary school curriculum.

This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Education Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Dr. Danlami Hayyo at the inauguration of the Chinese Corner at the Government Secondary School Tudun Wada, Abuja.

The project was sponsored by the biggest Chinese construction company in Nigeria, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.

Hayyo noted the foresight of the FCT education board which introduced Mandarin in schools in FCT before the latest review of the curriculum.

He said: “May I inform you that in the recent review of our Curriculum, the Chinese language has been selected as one of the international languages to offer in Senior Secondary Schools.

“That is to say that, the FCT has been very visionary in introducing the subject in our schools through the Chinese corners early enough. Chinese Mandarin has the largest number of speakers in the world and today it has become the language of commerce, education and tourism.

“Our decision to delve into Chinese education and culture is a wise move.”

The FCT Education Secretary also disclosed that the inauguration of the new centre on Tuesday brings to 14 the number of Chinese centres in Abuja.

The centres he said are established in Secondary schools across the Federal Capital city.

He said: “The bilateral relations has seen to the establishment of 13 Chinese corners and having the commissioning

of the 14th Corner in G.S.S Tudun Wada today.”

The corners, he said “have greatly enhanced education and cultural exchange between Nigeria and China. It has opened a window for better understanding and appreciation of our various cultures and it has also given our students the opportunity to pursue their further education in China.”

He also pointed out that staff and teachers have benefitted from the collaboration by attending capacity building in China.

“Today we are proud to say that it is only the FCT that has Chinese Corner in her schools in the whole federation,” he added.

On behalf of the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, the Education Secretary also appreciated the Chinese government and Embassy for their support and commitment to promote people to people exchange for the good of all.

“Your friendship has confirmed what the Chinese say as “Hai nei Cun zhiji tianya ruo bi lin” (a bosom friend brings distant lands near),” concluded.

In his remarks, the Chinese Counselor, Yang Jianxing said that the idea of the Chinese Corner was birthed as a result of China’s appreciation of the mutual relationship between both countries.

He explained, “Twelve years ago, out of the cherishment for China-Nigeria friendly relations and the expectation for cultural exchanges between the two countries, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and the FCT Secondary Education Board of Nigeria joined hands to establish the “Chinese Corner” as a unique platform

for cultural and educational exchanges.

“Over the past more than ten years, this seemingly simple platform has long become a link connecting Chinese and Nigerian cultures, a bridge narrowing the hearts of young people from the two countries, and one of the most popular cultural check-in spots among teachers and students in Abuja.

“For students, the “Chinese Corner” is not only an immersive classroom for learning Chinese and experiencing Chinese

culture, but also a window to observe the world. Chinese is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.”

He also added: “ The Chinese diplomatic missions in Nigeria will also continue to support China-Nigeria cooperation in various fields such as culture and education, and continuously promote the building of a closer China-Africa and China-Nigeria community with a shared future.

“Today, the inauguration of the “Chinese Corner” is not an end, but a new starting point for cultural exchanges between China and Nigeria.”

In his welcome address, the Director/Secretary of FCT Secondary Education Board, Dr. Muhammed Ladan said the initiative is a testimonial of the strong bilateral relations between China and Nigeria.

He stressed that the initiative “aims at promoting mutual understanding and people to people exchanges.”

He pointed out that “The Chinese Corners aims at not just fostering people to people exchanges but to provide resources for learning Mandarin and potential scholarship to China. It is also to strengthen diplomatic relations through artistic collaboration.”

Providing background information, Ladan said that “the FCT – SEB came into existence in 2013 with the prototype in G.S.S Garki, before the other eleven added in 2014. By 2024 one more was added at G.S.S Wuse Zone 3, and this year two more are about to be added, courtesy of prominent Chinese companies in Nigeria”.

Curriculum Review: Nigeria Secondary Schools to now Offer Chinese Language- Mandarin- FCT