•Teacher and students
The Chinese language, Mandarin, has become one of the foreign languages to be offered in Senior Secondary Schools (SSS) in Nigeria in the newly reviewed secondary school curriculum.
The Education Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, announced the development at the inauguration of the Chinese Corner at the Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, Abuja, reports The Nation.
The project was sponsored by the biggest Chinese construction company in Nigeria, the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), as part of its corporate social responsibility (CRS).
Hayyo stressed the foresight of the FCT Education Board, which had introduced Mandarin in schools in the territory 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 said the inauguration of the new centre yesterday brought to 14 the number of Chinese centres in Abuja.
The centres, he said, were established in secondary schools across the Federal Capital City.
“The bilateral relations have led to the establishment of 13 Chinese corners and the inauguration of the 14th Corner in G.S.S. Tudun Wada today.”
The corners, HAyyo said, “have greatly enhanced education and cultural exchange between Nigeria and China”
He added: “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.
“Today, we are proud to say that it is only the FCT that has Chinese Corners in its schools in the whole federation.”
On behalf of FCT Minister Nyesom Nwike, the Education Secretary expressed appreciation to the Chinese Government and Embassy for their support and commitment to promoting 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),” Hayyo said.
The Chinese Counselor, Yang Jianxing, stated that the idea of the Chinese Corner was birthed as a result of his country’s appreciation of the mutual relationship between Nigeria and the Asian country.
He recalled: “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 10 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.
“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.”
