Chinese-Language Soon to Be Mandatory in Kenyan Schools

By Virginia Mwangi / January 12, 2019

Kenya will teach the Chinese language in classrooms in its plan to improve employment competitiveness and ease trade and its connection with China.

The Chinese-language, Mandarin, is among the three most powerful languages in the World and it hence comes as a no surprise that Kenya would be considering such a move given the huge debts it has taken from the economic super-power country.

The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) said that the design and scope of the mandarin syllabus is complete and plans were underway to have it rolled out in 2020.

Primary school pupils from grade four which is around 10 years of age and onwards will be expected to take up the language according to the agency head Julius Jwan.

“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,” said Jwan.

Kenya will be following in a path being undertaken by other African countries including Zimbabwe, South Africa and Uganda which rolled out mandatory Mandarin classes for high school students.

Kenya is already struggling with the implementation of the new curriculum which is 2-6-3-3-3 from the previous 8-4-4 system which is expected to improve the quality of education in the country as it is said to be more hands-on.

The teaching of Mandarin will also be accompanied by French and Arabic languages.

A delegation of Chinese scholars is said to have played a key role in helping with the establishment of the courses.

The move seems very beneficial and strategic for China as it continues to dominate Kenya amongst other African countries.