Magiagi Primary School Principal, Katalaina Sia Latu, is happy to learn 10 of her students secured a place at the Confucius Institute (CI) this year.

CI officially opened its doors in September last year and is a Chinese government organisation designed to promote the Chinese language, and culture around the world.

Last year, Ms. Latu asked CI director Dr Liang Guojie if some of her students might be given a chance to learn Chinese.

At the Spring Festival celebrations on Tuesday, she received the good news, that ten students would be given the opportunity to learn Chinese for free, for one period a week this year.

“I feel so lucky to be gifted this,” Ms. Latu said.

“I begged him to give us places, to encourage the children to learn about Chinese culture.”

Ms Latu said for her, forging a relationship between Magiagi Primary School and CI is about integrating them into the community of the village.

“If we look after them, they will look after us.”

“I want the village to be encouraged to look after the institute,” she said.

Grateful for the opportunity, Ms Latu told Dr Liang she would happily teach him Samoan as a thank you, and said they would become best friends.

Ms Latu will pick five of the top students from year seven and eight to participate in the weekly classes.

A class of Magiagi students attended the Spring Festival/Chinese New Year festivities yesterday, and were treated to a range of Chinese cultural performances.

They were treated to freshly made Chinese dumplings, or jiao zi, and some students even participated in a guessing game of Chinese Zodiacs. 

Outside school hours, students of all ages are welcome to learn and practice Chinese for free on Saturday mornings from 9:30 till 11 at the Confucius Institute at the National University of Samoa.