2024-09-18
Kenyatta University Confucius Institute Launches Chinese Club at Kamuthatha Mixed Boarding Primary and Junior Secondary School, Embu
Date: August 7, 2023
Kenyatta University Confucius Institute launched a Chinese Club at Kamuthatha Junior Primary School in Embu on Friday, August 4, 2023. The inauguration of the club marks a significant move by KUCI towards promoting Chinese language education across the country, as well as providing young learners with a unique opportunity to explore Chinese language and culture. The auspicious event was attended by KUCI Director Dr. Helen Guantai, KUCI teaching staff, Kamuthatha Mixed Boarding Primary and Junior Secondary School headteacher, Mr. Francis Njue, together with teaching staff and students of Kamuthatha School.
KUCI Director, Dr. Helen Guantai, together with KUCI staff and Kamuthatha students and Headteacher, Mr. Francis Njue, during the launch.
The event commenced with an opening prayer by the headteacher, Mr. Francis Njue, who expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration with Kenyatta University Confucius Institute. He gave a brief background of the school, including their major goals and achievements.
Brief Background of Kamuthatha Mixed Boarding Primary and Junior Secondary School
Kamuthatha Mixed Boarding Primary and Junior Secondary School is a renowned public school in Embu County, with the ACK Diocese of Embu as its main sponsor. The 579 students in the school are all boarders. The school is chaired by a board, with Dr. Nyaga acting as the current chair. There are a total of 23 teachers and 24 support staff. The school delivers its curriculum through the CBC from grade 4 to7, and the 8-4-4 for the current class 8 students. The Headteacher, Mr. Francis Njue, mentioned that apart from the core studies, the students also get trained in farming and sporting activities. The main goal, according to Mr. Francis Njue, is to nurture individuals that help themselves and solve actual problems in the community. The school has also launched an institution that engages the students in being proactive in addressing problems to do with climate change. It is because of such a solid foundation and the desire to produce students capable of competing globally that pushed the school to start a Chinese language club.
Kenyatta University Confucius Institute Director, Dr. Helen Guantai, in her speech, mentioned that it is a great honor to be able to sponsor Kamuthatha School in setting up an active Chinee language club. Dr. Helen Guantai mentioned that the structured programs and activities at KUCI will be instrumental in supporting the Chinese club from infancy to maturity, and that the program has the potential to make the students at Kamuthatha global. Dr. Helen Guantai then called upon Dr. Susan Wachira of KUCI to go through the nature of the collaboration between KUCI and Kamuthatha.
KUCI delegates with Mr. Francis Njue and Dr. Helen Guantai during the proceedings.
The Chinese Club at Kamuthatha is expected to offer various activities and programs that will engage the students in an interactive and immersive Chinese learning experience. The KUCI will assist in organizing and sponsoring Chinese cultural events, teacher development workshops, Chinese language and cultural competitions, learning materials support, and training student for the YCT (Youth Chinese Test). Dr. Susan Wachira added that KUCI is open to explore new areas of collaboration with Kamuthatha when need arises.
Mr. Francis Njue expressed his gratitude and optimism about the collaboration and its positive impact on the students’ personal development. He mentioned that the teachers are looking forward to signing-up for Chinese language classes at KUCI, and that a new classroom is under renovation to accommodate the newly established Chinese club. He said, “Children are like seedlings; therefore, they have to be well nurtured and straightened in order to expect good forests out of them.”
Mr. Francis Njue then took the KUCI delegation for a tour of the school, from the administration block, academic block to the student section, bakery, and farm unit.
Mr. Francis Njue leading the KUCI delegates in the school tour
The KUCI delegation gathered at the Kamuthatha School’s Assembly ground to interact with the teachers and students. Dr. Helen Guantai, the KUCI Director officiated the book donation activity to the elated students and teachers of Kamuthatha. KUCI donated several boxes of Chinese language textbooks, flashcards, audio materials to Kamuthatha as part of the instrumental support.
Dr. Helen Guantai officiating the donation of Chinese learning materials to Mr. Francis Njue
The event ended with a cheerful interaction between KUCI staff members and students of Kamuthatha. Through the tireless efforts of the Kenyatta University Confucius Institute and the enthusiasm of Kamuthatha Mixed Boarding Primary and Junior Secondary School's management and students, the Chinese Club sets the stage for a future filled with cross-cultural learning, international friendship, and cultural awareness among young Chinese language learners in Embu.
Dr. Helen Guantai, Dr. Susan Wachira and Mr. Lorna Duoduo having a cheerful interaction with Kamuthatha students
As the club's activities unfold, it is expected to leave an indelible mark on the students, shaping them into globally conscious individuals who appreciate and celebrate the diversity of our world.