Press releases

GRODNO, 31 May (BelTA) – The first in Grodno school-based Confucius classroom has opened on the premises of Yefim Karsky Gymnasium No.1, BelTA has learned.

The first classes of Chinese language and culture were held at the school some two year ago. The students demonstrated a keen interest in the subject, and the administration decided to keep it on the curriculum. “We have achieved considerable results. Our students like to learn about the Chinese culture, cuisine, celebrate Chinese New Year. We asked the Confucius Institute of Minsk State Linguistic University to help us set up the classroom. They supported our initiative. A company gave us $10,000 to buy equipment for the classroom,” Principal Boris Sebrovsky explained. He pointed out that some 70 students of Gymnasium No.1 study the Chinese language. A volunteer teacher from China is working with them. The school administration expects that the number of students studying Chinese will increase with the opening of the Confucius classroom.

“This is a big step that brings our countries and cultures closer together. Today the Chinese language is studied in Belarus mainly by university students. It is a good thing that now Belarusian children will be learning about a new culture and mastering a new language. This does not necessarily mean that they will choose to become specialists in this field. Still, this work will benefit children’s development and strengthen the relations between our countries,” said Wang Dajun, First Secretary for Education Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in Belarus. He emphasized that the embassy is ready to provide assistance to the new classroom, including with student, teacher and volunteer exchanges. The Confucius classroom in Grodno is the ninth educational center of the kind in Belarus.