[EDLING:286] Beijing pays UK schools to teach Chinese culture

[Francis M. Hult]

Belfast Telegraph

Beijing pays UK schools to teach Chinese culture 

Confucius, the 6th century BC Chinese philosopher, always told his disciples to 
study the outside world in detail. So he would have been delighted by the 
announcement yesterday that five state schools in the UK are to become " 
Confucius classrooms" - dedicated to promoting the study of Chinese culture and 
language. 

For the schools, it will mean extra money to spread the study of the subject 
throughout their regions and the chance for their pupils to go on exchange 
trips and summer camps to China itself. 

The first 175 pupils and their teachers will leave the UK next week to attend a 
summer camp in Beijing. 

The project is being financed by Hanban - China's equivalent of the British 
Council - which aims to promote Chinese culture throughout the world. Hanbean 
is giving each school £3,000 to help get the project off the ground. 

Full story:
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/article2737947.ece