Chinese Language into Cross River Educational Curriculum

By Onyi Ogar

The Cross River State Government says it may consider the introduction of Chinese Language in State Primary and Secondary Schools.

Mrs. Alice Egbe, the Director of Exams disclose this last week at the commencement of a 2-Week Chinese Language Learning Sandwich Program organised by Access School, Calabar for Secondary School Students.

The Director who represented the State Commissioner of Education Mr. Godwun Ettah said that the Chinese language learning program was important for the growth of the State’s trade and investment drive.

“It would be a welcome idea and the State Government would like to key into. We would introduce the program when the syllabus is ready she said.

Earlier, the Proprietor of Access International Schools Calabar, Mr. Gabriel Umoden had said that the School decided to partner the Nanjing Polytechnic Institute China for the training of 24 Indigent Students due to the rising influence of Chinese in the global economy.

“Thirteen of the Students were chosen from Government Secondary School Woda and Government Secondary School Bansara both in Yala and Ogoja Local Government Areas respectively”.

“While Eleven were from Access School Calabar. Those from Yala and Ogoja would continue their studies in Access Schools for six years for their School Certificate, and one year for theirAdvanced Level. Thereafter all the students woud proceed to China for their Tertiary education,” he added.

The proprietor explained that the programme was part of the school’s Social Responsibility, stressing that, “the choice of students from the rural Community schools were to ensure that they are exposed as their counterparts in the urban areas.

Mr. Umoden further said that, the school has a well equipped E-Language Laboratory for the study of German, French, Spanish and Chinese languages.

The Deputy Director, International Affairs of the Institute, Cong Quan said that, the Institute’s partnership with Access School Calabar was a continuation of Nigeria’s long standing relationship with the Chinese Government.

“This is our first time to visit the country. Nigeria has a long standing relationship with China and today is a new beginning in this relationship”.

Published in maiden edition, Lens Newspapers Vol. 1 No. 6.