Classrooms to boost Chinese links

Pupils will receive lessons in Chinese language and culture

A series of special units designed to boost Scotland's links with China are to be opened in schools across the country.

The Confucius Classrooms aim to give pupils lessons in Chinese language and culture.

They will also be used to organise trips to China and develop links with Chinese people living in Scotland.

Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop has opened the first Confucius Classroom at Perth High School.

With China's economic boom, demand for fluent speakers of Chinese languages is increasing in the business world.

The aim is to develop eight classrooms across 14 local authorities to allow pupils and teachers from around Scotland to benefit.

Wider world

Speaking at Perth High School, Ms Hyslop, who is to visit China next month, said: "Part of building a smarter Scotland and a thriving economy is giving our next generation the skills and awareness necessary to live, work and succeed in the globalised economy.

"Perth High is already well ahead and is demonstrating how schools can use these new opportunities springing up to benefit their pupils."

Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Moray, City of Edinburgh, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and Perth and Kinross are the first councils to benefit from the Confucius Classrooms.

Bernard McLeary, chief executive of Learning and Teaching Scotland, said it was important for children to be outward-looking and have a sense of the wider world.

He added: "The establishment of the Confucius Classrooms will allow schools and local authorities across Scotland to work together to develop closer links with the world's fastest growing economy and instil the skills needed for work and life in the 21st Century."