Departing from Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, by car, after more than 5 hours of bumpy and undulating mountain roads, we arrived at Saburo Gamwo University located at the southern foot of the Central Mountain Range in Sri Lanka. Strolling around the campus surrounded by mountains, one can often hear the sound of Chinese reading loudly
This is a mountain scenery taken on September 6th, on the way from Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, to Sablo Gamwo University.
This is a scene taken on September 5th on the campus of Saburgmuvo University.
On September 5th, students were walking on the campus of Saborogamovo University.
In 2019, Huanggang Normal University in China and Saporgmuvo University jointly established the Confucius Classroom. On the eve of Teacher’s Day in China, the reporter visited the Confucius Classroom in this mountainous area and met three Chinese female teachers who were standing firm here.
On September 5th, Zhu Song (right), the director of the Confucius Classroom at Sablo University, held a meeting with teachers Zhang Huan (center) and Xia Zihan.
The school is located in a remote area and there are many inconveniences in daily life. Mosquitoes, snakes, and rodents often visit the teacher dormitory, and during the rainy season, there may be seven or eight days of water, power, and internet outages.
↑ This is the dormitory of Zhu Song, the director of the Confucius Classroom at Sablo University, captured on September 5th.
Fresh vegetables and daily necessities can only be replenished at the weekly farmer’s market, and the nearest supermarket takes nearly an hour’s drive by mountain road to reach
↑ This is a traditional market held once a week near the University of Saporgmuvo, captured on September 4th.
On September 4th, Zhu Song (second from left), the director of the Confucius Classroom at Sablo University, along with teachers Xia Zihan (third from left) and Zhang Huan (first from left), were shopping at the traditional market near the school once a week.
But Zhu Song, the director of Confucius Classroom who has been here for more than three years, is full of optimism: “We have all survived the most difficult time for Sri Lanka’s economy in 2022. The working and living conditions have improved a lot now, and I feel quite satisfied
On September 5th, Zhu Song, the director of the Confucius Classroom at Sablo Gomwo University, answered questions and clarified doubts for students majoring in Chinese.
Two young teachers born in the 1990s, Zhang Huan and Xia Zihan, are equally positive and optimistic. We also worked as Chinese teachers in Nepal for a few years, and after coming to Sri Lanka, we became even more determined in our choice. We have been infecting our students with positivity, friendliness, and vitality, which can further stimulate their enthusiasm for learning Chinese and their interest in China
On September 4th, Chinese teacher Xia Zihan gave a lecture to students majoring in Chinese language at the Confucius Classroom at Sablo University.
On September 4th, Chinese teacher Zhang Huan gave a lecture to students majoring in Chinese language at the Confucius Classroom at Sablo University.
With the efforts of three Chinese teachers, the teaching content of the Confucius Classroom at Sa University has become increasingly solid and rich. They self wrote and tailored Chinese textbooks for local students. They also brought videos to teach students about the rich and diverse traditional Chinese arts such as Huangmei Opera and Kuaiban. In addition, Confucius Classroom has helped a mountainous high school near Uvo Province establish a Chinese teaching point and regularly train local Chinese teachers
On September 4th, Chinese teacher Zhang Huan gave a lecture to students majoring in Chinese language at the Confucius Classroom at Sablo University.
On September 5th, students majoring in Chinese language at the Confucius Classroom at Sablo University experienced Su embroidery.
The teachers and students of the teaching point class Delevelle Middle School under the Confucius Classroom at Sablo Gamuwo University participated in the Chinese Culture Corner activity at Sablo Gamuwo University.
The enthusiasm for learning Chinese continues to spread locally. The Confucius Classroom at Sa Da offers Chinese courses twice a week for faculty and has attracted nearly 20 students.
On April 3rd, Zhu Song (left), the director of the Confucius Classroom at Sablo Gomwo University, interacted with students from the school’s Chinese language training class during the International Chinese Day event.
Arhat Abevekrama, Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Languages of the University of Saskatchewan, said that in recent years, the enthusiasm of Saskatchewan college students to apply for Chinese majors has increased year by year. This year, there are 21 students who choose Chinese as their first major, and another 50 students who apply for Chinese as their second or third major. More than 80% of Sri Lanka’s rural population lives in China. Now, Confucius classrooms are rooted here, and the ‘Chinese dream’ of students in mountainous areas is no longer far away
On September 4th, Chinese teacher Xia Zihan (right) showcased Chinese calligraphy works to students majoring in Chinese language at the Confucius Classroom at Sablo University.
This is a scene taken on September 5th on the campus of Saburgmuvo University.
↑ Saporgmuvo University surrounded by mountains.
Photography by Chen Dongshu and Wu Yue
Production: Shi Feng
Jointly produced by Xinhua News Agency Photography Department Asia Pacific Branch Colombo Branch