Links between the Island and China are being further reinforced with plans for closer cultural connections between the countries’ schools.
The Isle of Man is developing a strong relationship with China, the world’s second biggest economy. The Chief Minister has led successful delegations to the country to promote the Island’s profile as an international business centre and generate business opportunities.
A three-strong group from the Department of Education and Children (DEC) visited China from October 25 to 31 as guests of the Confucius Institute in Beijing, the headquarters of the Chinese National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language.
Representing the Island were Jan Gimbert, School Improvement Adviser with the DEC, Rob Sellors, Headteacher of Cronk-y-Berry Primary School and Rob Coole, Headteacher of Anagh Coar Primary School.
The group was part of a Crown Dependencies’ contingency that included Government representatives and headteachers from Jersey and Guernsey.
The visit was part of a programme to encourage understanding of Chinese culture and the teaching of Mandarin in schools and establish partnerships between schools in China and the Crown Dependencies.
The delegation met senior staff from Confucius Institute headquarters and the Chinese Embassy in London and learned more about Chinese culture and education.
They attended a briefing on education in Shanghai with the Director of Municipal Education, who is responsible for 1.88 million schoolchildren across 17 districts in the city.
In Shanghai, the Isle of Man group visited three primary and two secondary schools, where they observed lessons.
Mrs Gimbert said:
‘Both cultures, although distinctive, have strengths that can be shared through continuing dialogue and establishment of further relationships at Department and school level around teacher professional development and approaches to learning and teaching.’
She added:
‘Looking at aspects of culture and language from another country helps children to reflect on their own experiences as they are growing up. If they can do this through strong links with children in another school on the other side of the world, they begin to recognise that they are global citizens. Opportunities to do this will be key in our development as an Island over the next few years.’
In July, Mr Shen Yang, Minister Counsellor for Education at the Chinese Embassy in London opened an independent Confucius Classroom at Ballakermeen High School. The classroom will offer lessons in Mandarin and Chinese culture to schoolchildren and the wider community. The achievement celebrated Ballakermeen’s decade-long relationship with Number 1 School, Liuyang, Hunan Province.
While in Beijing, the Crown Dependencies’ delegates had a chance meeting with Ballakermeen students, who were on an exchange visit with their partner school.
Mrs Gimbert said:
‘This was astounding when you consider we were 5,000 miles away from home and in a city of 21 million people. The Ballakermeen students were thoroughly enjoying their experiences in China and were fantastic representatives of both the Isle of Man and their school.’
