Yat Sen ‘a model school’
Yat Sen School has been selected as a Chinese language education model school, says China’s Ambassador to Fiji - Qian Bo. Mr Qian made the remark during the opening of Yat Sen Secondary School’s new wing at the school in Suva yesterday.
He said the school’s performance in Chinese language education among schools in the Pacific Region was outstanding.
He said the school will receive FJD$31,000 in financial support from the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council of China for Chinese language teaching every year in the future.
With the support of the Government of Huizhou Municipality in Guangdong Province, China, the secondary school will have four new classrooms and a recreational area for students. Mr Qian said since 1986 more than 36 Chinese language teachers sent by the Ministry of Education of China have been teaching Chinese language and introducing Chinese culture to students of the school through their hard work.
“Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council of China has donated many Chinese language textbooks as well as Chinese culture books,” he said.
“I have learned that 60 boxes of Chinese language textbooks and Chinese culture books are on the way to Fiji from China for the students.”
Mr Qian said Yat Sen School had been one of the most prestigious schools in Fiji known for its outstanding academic performances.
“Through high-quality education, a multi-ethnic enrolment policy as well as fully inclusive and multi-cultural teaching content, it has not only made an important contribution to the development of local education and the understanding of all ethnic groups of Fiji, but also enhanced cultural exchange, friendship and mutual understanding between China and Fijian people,” he said.
Yat Sen Secondary School principal Miriama Naicegucegu said the school was unique in that it is one of the schools in Fiji that offered Chinese language as a core subject at secondary school level.
“Chinese language is allocated two periods per week and offered in Years 9 to Year 12,” she said.
“Majority of our students are able to develop the skill and ability to converse in the Chinese language at a basic level with a small percentage having an advanced knowledge of the language.
“It gives our students the edge over others in terms of securing jobs in the job market where Chinese language is needed.
“With the growing relationship between Fiji and China, there is an opportunity for growth in demand for those with the special language skill,” Ms Naicegucegu said. Edited by Epineri Vula