Kampala school adds Mandarin to syllabus

In a move to underscore the growing global influence of China, a school in Uganda has added to its syllabus official Mandarin.

In a move to underscore the growing global influence of China, a school in Uganda has added to its syllabus official Mandarin, the language spoken in China, pending a nod from the Ministry of Education.

Mandarin, already the world’s most spoken language, is now being seen across the globe as a must-know language for both career growth and business opportunities.

As more Chinese make economic breakthroughs and are keen to splash their money on luxury, the number of tourists from the country once extremely conservative are increasing.

Mr Jimmy Dheyongera, head teacher at Lunyanzi College, Bweyogerere (formerly Bweyogerere Progressive) says the school is looking to break new ground in what will inevitably be a subject in high demand in the country sooner rather than later. He says the growing influence of China on the African continent can no longer be ignored.

“We thought it wise to prepare our students for the challenges ahead of them because Chinese is proving a potential for easy trade with Africa,” he said.

Though the Ministry of Education hasn’t confirmed it, they are encouraging schools to take on the initiative.

Assistant Commissioner private schools in charge of policy and regulation Mr Ismail Mulindwa says that government is strongly backing schools that are coming up to teach Chinese language.

“We would love to have it taught in all schools around the country but that would mean either bringing experts from China to do it or take people for training that could be a little costly,” Mr Mulindwa says.

He said they are encouraging all schools that can teach Chinese to go ahead because China is soon taking over large economies of Europe and America to become the world’s leading economy.

“Many Ugandans go to China for trade and would benefit from learning the language,” he added.

He says that schools that can afford footing bills to ensure that the language is taught for the betterment of their students should take on the initiative.

Mr Jimmy Dheyongera, the head teacher Luyanzi College Bweyogerere campus formerly Bweyogerere progressive school says that they got a teacher who will be sponsored by China government to teach the language.

Non-students
He says that classes will also incorporate people who are not students but are willing to learn the language for different reasons.

China is the world’s most populous country, with about 1.32 billion people (estimated 2007). It’s using its majority population to establish its self and become the world’s leading economy.

China is now a clear leader in the race for Africa’s resources and can be expected to continue developing these interests for the mutual benefit of both Africa as well as China’s surging economy. Chinese companies are increasingly acquiring assets, as are Indian companies, prompting other global miners into a race to secure mineral assets of their own.