Fiji to introduce Mandarin classes

Chinese Mandarin may be taught in primary and secondary schools in Fiji, an island nation in the Pacific Ocean.

According to the nation's local media, education authorities are considering putting Chinese Mandarin on the country's educational curriculum. Fiji's education ministry is pursuing the possibility and consulting with the Chinese Embassy in Fiji to facilitate the proposal.

Introducing a language spoken by a large number of people into Fiji's educational curriculum will benefit students, Education Minister Filipe Bole was cited as saying.

Primary and secondary schools in Fiji have already indicated their interest in Chinese classes. They are now mandated to teach Fiji's local language and Hindi. English is a compulsory subject for both primary and secondary schools.

The number of Chinese in Fiji has increased in recent years.China has set up a Confucius Institute in the Suva-based University of the South Pacific in Fiji and in other Pacific island countries and regions.

zhouwa@chinadaily.com.cn