1) (a) The People’s Republic of China will pay for the training.
(b) This information has not been made available to the Department of Basic Education as the budget is located with the People’s Republic of China.
2) (a) The People’s Republic of China will fund the tuition fees and accommodation. However, the flights will be borne by each participant.
(b) This information has not been made available to the Department of Basic Education as the budget is located with the People’s Republic of China.
3) (a) The basic criteria are proficiency in Mandarin, a University qualification and pedagogical versatility.
(b) Yes, the proficiency level of teachers is one of the crietria for participation in the training.
(c) (i) Teachers selected for participation in the course must satisfy the minimum level of proficiency as dictated by the Chinese language authorities. Their participation in the course should assist to improve proficiency levels.
(ii) Once these candidates have completed the course and have passed the Mandarin proficiency test at a specified level, they will be able to teach Mandarin.
4) (a) It is envisaged that the five hundred schools will be recruited on a voluntary basis.
(b) Salaries will be paid by the People’s Republic of China.
(c) Currently the learner statistics that are available are as follows:
PROVINCE |
LEARNER NUMBERS |
Eastern Cape |
136 |
Gauteng |
602 |
Western Cape |
249 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
13 |
Source: Information provided by Provincial Education Departments
Note: The current statistics are tentative and will be reviewed during the survey that will be conducted by the Department of Basic Education, in collaboration with the Chinese advisor.
(d) The selection of schools is on a voluntary basis. Hence it is not envisaged that there will be refusal from schools to participate.
(5) There are no studies conducted as yet, but the Department of Basic Education is working with the Chinese advisor to conduct a survey on the demand for Mandarin in schools.