President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has just added Chinese to the senior secondary school syllabus in Nigeria. Many Nigerians are asking. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Dr Danlami Hayyo, Secretary of Education for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), during the commissioning of the 14th Chinese Corner at Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada, Abuja.
Dr. Hayyo noted that the FCT had shown foresight by introducing Mandarin through the Chinese Corners initiative. The Chinese Corner, sponsored by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, is part of their corporate social responsibility. The newly inaugurated center is the 14th in the FCT, with similar facilities in several schools.
Hayyo, representing FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, thanked the Chinese government for its support, quoting a Chinese proverb: “A bosom friend brings distant lands near,” highlighting the strong partnership between the FCT and China.
The introduction of the Chinese language into the Nigerian Educational System has brought concerns and questions – will this policy change improve Nigeria’s international connections and global relevance, or is it another policy to avoid the impending demands and needs of Nigerian students: a distraction and an unnecessary policy?
Also Read: http://Rivers Politics: PDP vs APC Power Play Unfolds
Learning Chinese as an international language is great as it can provide a competitive edge in business and trade, open up job opportunities in fields like international relations, trade, tourism, and education, and facilitate communication with Chinese speakers.
However, the government should also strengthen Nigerian indigenous languages more and improve the poor state of the education system. Most Students and youths in Nigeria only know how to speak their mother tongue, that is, from their ethnic group. Local languages should be promoted in schools to help students and youths learn more than one indigenous language, as this will greatly improve inter-ethnic relationships.
