The Ghanaian Director of the Confucius Institute (CI-UCC) has indicated that the Chinese Ministry of Education will provide funding to establish a “Confucius Classroom” at the University Primary School (UPS) to formally introduce the Chinese Language into the School’s academic programmes.

Prof. Mensah disclosed that an initial amount of $30, 000 has been approved to procure educational materials and other equipment to boost teaching and learning of the Chinese Language at UPS.

Prof. Mensah announced this at a programme to mark the “Chinese Language Day” celebration at the University Primary School. Prof Mensah thanked the headmistress, teaching/non-teaching staff and pupils of the School for their keen interest in the Chinese Language.

The Celebration of Chinese Language Day                      

In his remarks, the China Director of Confucius Institute, Prof. Hu Liangcai, explained that based on the great contributions of the people of China to the advancement of the World, the United Nations Security Council concluded formally to include the Chinese Language as one of the widely used official languages in the United Nations’ countries. “This has necessitated the celebration of the Chinese Language Day to let people understand the real importance of the Chinese Language, and it has been the responsibility of the CI-UCC to promote this course,” he stressed.

Prof. Langcai was optimistic that the programme would have a positive impact on both teachers and the pupils, as well as create a good opportunity for people to know more about China and the Chinese Language. He encouraged people to study Chinese in order to create opportunities for them to secure scholarships for further studies in China.

Appreciation to CI-UCC

Speaking at the programme, the Headmistress of UPS, Mrs Georgina Aglobitse, was grateful to the Confucius Institute, for giving pupils in the School the opportunity to learn the Chinese Language. She noted that ‘Chinese Language Day’ would help develop the interest of the pupils in the language.

Mrs Aglobitse expressed gratitude to the CI-UCC, the Chinese and UPS teachers for their enormous contributions and support towards the success of the programme. “The mere fact that the children were able to sing different Chinese songs and dance to the tune, is not only entertaining but also encouraging. This means the children are learning the culture alongside the Language – it is impressive and they have really done well,” she remarked.

The Celebration was climaxed with a series of inter-class singing competition, drinking challenge, as well as music and dance performances. Prizes were presented to the deserving classes that emerged victoriously.