Kenyan high school launches Confucius Classroom

Students attend an unveiling ceremony for the Confucius Classroom at Starehe Boys' Center and School in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 30, 2023. A Confucius Classroom was launched on Friday at Starehe Boys' Center and School in downtown Nairobi to facilitate the teaching of Chinese language to teenage learners. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

NAIROBI, June 30 (Xinhua) -- A Confucius Classroom was launched on Friday at Starehe Boys' Center and School in downtown Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, to facilitate the teaching of Chinese language to teenage learners.

The Confucius Classroom at Starehe Boys' Center and School, a high school established in 1959, was set up with the help of the Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University.

Among the dignitaries who graced the unveiling ceremony for the Confucius Classroom were Zeng Qingliang, president of Shandong Normal University, tutors, and students.

The Confucius Classroom at Starehe Boys' Center and School demonstrates the vitality of cultural ties and friendship between China and Kenya, Zeng said.

"Learning Chinese will open doors for you, leading to better job prospects" as more and more Chinese companies are investing in Kenya, Zeng told the students.

Some of the key highlights of the ceremony included a lion dance and martial arts performance by students of Kenyatta University's Confucius Institute. In addition, students from Starehe Boys' Center and School also showcased their language and dancing skills.

Josphat Mwaura, director of Starehe Boys' Center and School, said more than 200 students are expected to enroll for Chinese language lessons in the Confucius Classroom.

The launch of the Confucius Classroom will also enable young learners to immerse themselves in the knowledge of Chinese culture, Mwaura said. He said he hopes that the students will become cultural ambassadors for the two countries.

Paul Wainaina, vice chancellor of Kenyatta University, said the launch of the Confucius Classroom in one of Kenya's oldest high schools is a confirmation that the spirit of Sino-Kenya cooperation and friendship is thriving.

Wainaina said young learners will be equipped with the soft skills required for jobs in the future while improving their appreciation of Chinese culture.

On his part, Zhou Xiaodong, Chinese director of Kenyatta University's Confucius Institute, said the classroom at Starehe Boys' Center and School will offer comprehensive teaching of the Chinese language while fostering cross-cultural interactions.

Zhou Xiaodong, Chinese director of Kenyatta University's Confucius Institute, speaks during an unveiling ceremony for the Confucius Classroom at Starehe Boys' Center and School in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 30, 2023. A Confucius Classroom was launched on Friday at Starehe Boys' Center and School in downtown Nairobi to facilitate the teaching of Chinese language to teenage learners. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

Students of the Confucius Institute of Kenyatta University perform during an unveiling ceremony for the Confucius Classroom at Starehe Boys' Center and School in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 30, 2023. A Confucius Classroom was launched on Friday at Starehe Boys' Center and School in downtown Nairobi to facilitate the teaching of Chinese language to teenage learners. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

An unveiling ceremony for the Confucius Classroom at Starehe Boys' Center and School is held in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 30, 2023. A Confucius Classroom was launched on Friday at Starehe Boys' Center and School in downtown Nairobi to facilitate the teaching of Chinese language to teenage learners. (Xinhua/Han Xu)