RIYADH — Minister of Education Dr. Hamad Al-Sheikh said that the inclusion of Chinese language as a curriculum at all stages of education in the Kingdom stems from the desire to diversify the language tools in education, which is based on the strategic and economic importance of the Chinese language.

On Saturday, the Ministry of Education inaugurated the "Teaching Chinese Language in Education" workshop at the ministry's headquarters here, attended by the Chinese Embassy's Charge d'Affaires in the Kingdom, officials from the Chinese Embassy and university administrators, and education officials in the Kingdom.

“We must have a clear program to qualify a number of teachers in intensive programs, up to one year to be teachers of Chinese language, and we may target in the first three years selected schools from the secondary level in different regions,” the minister said.

He added: “There is a plan for numerical expansion, based on the qualification requirements and expansion of the middle stage, and should be accompanied by the expansion of sending a number of teachers in programs to be developed with the Chinese side for a year,” he added.

King Saud University reviewed the experience of teaching Chinese language in the workshop, indicating that it had begun to introduce Chinese since 2010, and has graduated 35 students so far. They are currently working in the ministries of foreign affairs, media and a number of military sectors and during the Haj seasons. — SG