Schools in China To Offer Nova Scotia Curriculum

Students halfway around the world will soon be learning about Joseph Howe and Bay of Fundy tides when seven schools in China begin using the Nova Scotia high school curriculum.

Education Minister Angus MacIsaac and Ning Bai, president of Pattison Education Group of Vancouver, signed an agreement today, June 3, allowing the group to offer the Nova Scotia public education program at the schools. The program will be taught in English by Canadian certified teachers.

"Nova Scotia's universities have long been known worldwide for their quality programs, and our public school program is developing the same good reputation," said Mr. MacIsaac. "We welcome the opportunity to share our educational expertise with other countries and to make stronger cultural connections with them."

Pattison Education Group operates Pattison College in Vancouver and has many agreements with Chinese schools and government. It is hoping to enrol about 100 students per school and begin offering some of Nova Scotia's curriculum as early as September.

Students will follow the Nova Scotia program in English and also continue some studies in Chinese. Graduates of the schools will be the first to receive diplomas from both the governments of Nova Scotia and China. Students also have the option of spending a year in Nova Scotia as part of the province's international students program.

"With this agreement, Chinese students will enjoy Nova Scotia's high standard of education and develop their English language skills," said Mr. Bai. "Chinese and Nova Scotia students and teachers can also benefit from the exchange of cultural, educational and professional experiences."

Some of the Chinese schools are public while others are private. The seven schools are:

• Northeast Yucai Foreign Language School, Shenyoung
  Beijing BDA Experimental School, Beijing
• Shanghai Xiauxia Senior High School, Shanghai
• Sichuan Province Pixiau Number Two High School, Chengdu
• Taiyuan Number 12 High School, Taiyuan
• Hangzhou Songcheng Huamei School, Hangzhou
• Hubei Province Ezhou Senior High School, Hubei

Foreign schools wishing to use Nova Scotia's curriculum must meet the same high standards as schools in the province. Agreements provide for an administrative fee to be paid to the Department of Education. Any profits gained are reinvested in the Nova Scotia public school system.

Nova Scotia's curriculum is currently being offered at the Abu Dhabi Grammar School in the United Arab Emirates. The Atlantic curriculum is in use at the Delia School in Hong Kong.