C’River To Introduce Chinese Language In Public Schools

The Cross River Commissioner for Education, Mr Effanga Offiong, on Tuesday said that the government planned to introduce teaching of Chinese language in all public schools.

Offiong, has expressed government’s determination to introduce teaching of Chinese language in public schools.

Offiong, who disclosed this in Calabar at a news briefing on the activities of the ministry in 2012, said this was in keeping with current global trend.

“In order to key into global trend, the state has initiated discussion with the Chinese Embassy towards introduction of teaching Chinese language in our schools,‘’ he said.

According to him, the facilities at the former French Language Centre in Calabar will be upgraded to accommodate the new initiative.

“As a preliminary step, we have re-christened the centre.

“We have also initiated discussion with Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, which is currently collaborating with a Chinese University on the teaching of the language in the institution,‘’ Offiong said.

He said that Cross River was open to foreign investment, adding that the Chinese language was strategic for this purpose “and for the future of our children’’.

The commissioner also said that the state spent N375.2 million on local and foreign scholarships for students in 2012, adding that 704 students benefited from the programme.

“As I speak to you now, the Scholarship Board has also concluded payment of Law School grant to beneficiaries.

“In the same vein, the unit continues to coordinate other scholarship initiatives, such as Agbami, Chevron among others for the benefit of the state, ‘’ he said.

Offiong said that the state had made significant progress in Adult Education and Mass Literacy, noting that the state’s literacy rate now was between 80 and 85 per cent.

“It may interest you to know that Cross River is among the seven best states nationally in our effort at eradicating illiteracy in line with EFA and the MDGs,‘’ he said.