Dr. Kuyok Abuol Kuyok , the Undersecretary at the Ministry of General Education and Instruction - credit | Eye Radio/Lou Nelson | April 1, 2022

The Ministry of General Education and Instruction has disclosed plans to introduce Chinese language in the new syllabubs.

The undersecretary, Kuyok Abol Kuyok announced the initiative at the second review of the lower education curriculum and textbooks, on Thursday.

The phase 2 of the China-aided cooperation project of education, will also help in printing 1. 6 million textbooks for the primary and secondary schools.

Kuyok said the project will help the ministry in implementing the new national curriculum with the addition of the teaching of Chinese language.

He commended the Chinese government for its support to the country’s education system.

“In phase two, we added a cultural component such as the teaching of the Chinese language. Part of the project of course is to print the textbooks and we will be printing some of these textbooks with the project in China,” Kuyok said.

“China-Aided project phase two primarily supports the ministry’s implementation of the new national curriculum but it has a small but important cultural component (Chinese language).”

The education syllabus review, supported by the Chinese Embassy in Juba, was completed on Thursday, December 15.

The last review was conducted last year for primary 1 to primary 4, with the remaining classes expected to be reviewed as soon as this is complete.

The ministry also says it will equally review the curriculum for the secondary schools but did not specify the timeline.

The textbooks under review, have been in use for the last three years.

The phase two technical cooperation project will gather the advanced experienced and wisdom of educational experts from China and South Sudan to improve the teaching materials for general education.

The Chinese Embassy in Juba says it will support the growth of the education system in South Sudan through the enhancement of the textbook review and training of education managers.

Mu Jianjun is the Counselor for Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in the country.

He says the Shangai Education Publishing House based in China, will develop and deliver high-quality teaching materials in line with the South Sudanese new curriculum framework and in reflection of the characteristics and cultural traditions.

“The publishing house will develop and deliver high-quality teaching materials in line with the South Sudanese new curriculum framework and in reflection of the characteristics and cultural traditions of South Sudan,” he said.

According to him, the initiative will contribute to the establishment of a solid foundation for the long-term development of general education in the country.

“(The publishing house) will organize capacity building programs for selected backbone teachers, which shall contribute to the establishment of a solid foundation for the long-term development of general education in South Sudan.”

The introduction of the Chinese language into the country’s education system started in Juba last year, with the launch of a Chinese Language training center at the Juba Day Secondary School.

However, it is not clear the ministry will also teach the language at the primary level.