The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has announced that Chinese will start being taught as a new subject in primary schools.
The Chinese language will be introduced in the curriculum from 2020.
KICD CEO Julius Jwan made the announcement on Wednesday while addressing journalists on issues pertaining teaching of foreign languages in schools.
He indicated the decision to start equipping learners with the language was informed by fast changing economic dynamics.
FOREIGN LANGUAGES: Kenya would begin teaching Chinese to primary school pupils from 2020~KICD CEO, Dr Julius Jwan while fielding questions on foreign languages in the curriculum.
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Jwan stated that learning mandarin was strategic for boosting trade relations between Kenya and China.
"Kenya would begin teaching Chinese to primary school pupils from 2020. The place of China in the world economy has also grown to be so strong that Kenya stands to benefit if it's citizens learn Mandarin," he mentioned.
35 schools have been selected by the institute for the first roll out of the project.
At least 100 teachers have also been trained on delivering the curriculum and teach the new subject.
The announcement comes only days after commencement of Competence Based Curriculum.
The new 2-6-3-3 system phased out 8-4-4 curriculum which was introduced in 1985.
