TWELVE schools in Fiji will pilot a new Chinese language program following the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the joint Chinese Language Education Program between the Ministry of Education and the Chinese Government.
Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro said the inclusion of the Chinese language into Fiji’s school curriculum reaffirmed the Fiji-China bilateral relations. The initiative was approved by Cabinet in August 2024.
Mr Radrodro said given its universal use in facilitating trade, tourism, and cultural exchange, students and teachers would benefit significantly from exposure to the Chinese language.
“Upon the implementation of the MOU, China will provide high quality services and support to MOE to carry out the program in the teaching, planning, designing resource allocation, and other relevant aspects,” he said.
“In terms of the logistics and implementation of the program, the Chinese Government will provide a pool of Chinese language teachers, including volunteers, to assist Fiji in providing distant teaching on demand.”
Chinese ambassador to Fiji Zhou Jian was happy with the collaboration saying the program would open a new window for local students and teachers, and new opportunities for international cooperation.
“As one of the six official languages of the United Nations, Chinese plays an important role in international communication,” Mr Jian said.
“It’s being taught in more than 190 countries and regions incorporated in the national education system of nearly 90 countries and used by a cumulative population of 200 million. The Chinese embassy will continue to support the program in Fiji, fund more youths to study in China, promote educational exchanges and collaborations between our two countries, and establish a strong talent base for Fiji’s development.”
