From Xinhua via AllAfrica

South African basic learners will have an option to study Chinese language from January 2016, Department of Basic Education (DBE) officials confirmed on Thursday.

The roll-out of Chinese subjects will be incrementally implemented in schools with Grades 4-9 and 10 in January 2016, followed by Grade 11 in 2017 and Grade 12 in 2018, said SG Padayachee, DBE acting director-general.

Last month, Padayachee signed a circular for incremental implementation of Chinese as a non-official language from 2016-2018.

Introducing Chinese as a second additional language for Grades 4-9 will be regarded as an additional subject not to be taken into account for promotion requirements, according to the circular.

Other language choices in the same category include German, Serbian, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, Spanish, Tamil, Telegu and Urdu.

Under the circular issued to national and provincial education authorities, the Chinese language will be added to the school curriculum in January 2016.

The programme is part of a 10-year plan signed in December last year by South African President Jacob Zuma, and will be taught as an optional extra.

Read more at AllAfrica