Chinese culture forms a big part of the school curriculum

Every day, in Pretoria's Wingate Park, young voices ring out in Mandarin at the Pretoria Chinese School (PCS). The PCS is the only school in South Africa that teaches traditional script Chinese full-time on a daily basis from Grade R to Grade 12 to all of its pupils. The school dates back to 1934 and is situated in the country's capital city. The Young Chinese Cultural League and the Chinese Community of Pretoria started the school almost 80 years ago and today it is an enclave of Chinese culture, language and tradition in a diverse group of nationalities.

Since 2011, Lisette Noonan has been the principal of the school, and she is proud to recount the school's history.

Tough beginnings

"In the early 1930s, the Young Chinese Cultural League was understandably anxious to preserve what they could of their heritage, as they encountered growing racism and discriminatory government policies in their new home," said Noonan. "The land and buildings on which the school was located were purchased in the name of the Chinese Consulate, as Chinese immigrants were denied South African citizenship and were not allowed to hold titles to property. From the start, we wanted our own identity and were determined to remain proudly independent."

Later, the end of the apartheid era heralded more changes for the Chinese community in Pretoria. The PCS saw a drop in numbers as all schools were now open to all population groups. "In 1991, the Chinese school board decided to expand the small primary school to include high school students so that the Chinese language, cultural and educational experience could be extended to all who wished to embrace it," said Noonan, adding that this resulted in an influx of immigrant children hailing from as far afield as Poland, Russia, Portugal and, of course, the People's Republic of China. "They had all heard about the Pretoria Chinese School's disciplined ways and good results," she said.

Soon the Boom Street property was sold due to limited space for development, and the proceeds used to acquire a more suitable 3.48 hectare property in Wingate Park. In 1993, the Pretoria Chinese community built new classroom blocks, a computer center and a science laboratory.

Mandarin is mandatory

The compulsory study of Mandarin is integral to the school's mission, said Noonan, and is aligned with its commitment to offer excellent education of international quality. "Chinese culture is the oldest, continuously practiced literate culture in the world - practiced in a clearly identifiable way for the last 6,000 years," she said. "This ancient culture has developed deep wisdom, which is of practical value in daily life and has the added advantage of contributing to the disciplining and broadening of the mind."

The school approaches Mandarin not as an isolated language, but as an integrated holistic philosophy, with five Chinese teachers on staff. "Mandarin is mandatory here, but there is plenty of expert teaching and support," said Noonan. "It's not just a subject, but a vehicle through which Chinese culture and values find expression. We are happy that these values – like respect for one's elders, discipline and humility – are part of our ethos." Apart from the children, Mandarin classes are also taught to adults on Saturdays.

The school is now officially an ISASA (Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa) member.