Kenya is set to introduce lessons on Chinese Language, Mandarin, next year. This revelation was made by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum development, KICD, boss Dr Julius Jwan. The KICD boss who was speaking to Xinhua news agency, yesterday, said the design and scope of the Mandarin syllabus have been completed and will be rolled out in 2020.
Dr jwan said the decision to introduce Mandarin teaching was in a bid to improve job competitiveness and facilitate better trade and connection with China. “The place of China in the world economy has also grown to be so strong that Kenya stands to benefit if its Citizens can understand Mandarin,” Dr Jwan said.
Jwan noted that the Chinese Language is being introduced due to its growing global rise and the deepening political and economic ties between Kenya and China. Kenya has entered into mega loan agreements with China to support her infrastructure like the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway.
Next year, Primary kids in grade four will now be forced to undertake the Chinese Language studies. Kenya will be following in the foot steps of South Africa who also introduced Mandarin teachings back in 2004. Another country mulling the introduction of Mandarin teaching is Kenya’s neighbour, Uganda.
The introduction of Mandarin comes at a time when Kenya is changing her curriculum from the current 8-4-4 to the new Competency Based Curriculum.