Cape Verde will introduce the option of Putonghua classes in secondary schools from next year, Lusa reports.

The Portuguese news agency says Putonghua will be taught as an optional subject in three municipalities – Praia, Santa Catarina and São Vicente – before the programme is extended. Mainland teachers will take the first classes but Cape Verdean teachers may be trained in the Mainland.

The report cites a protocol signed this week between the University of Cape Verde, the Cape Verdean Ministry of Education, Family and Social Inclusion and the Confucius Institute, a Mainland non-profit organisation.

Cape Verde’s Minister of Education, Family and Social Inclusion Maritza Rosabal said the initiative would develop relations between people from the two countries. It would also save students money by shortening the time they spend studying in the Mainland.

Ambassador to Cape Verde Du Xiaocong said the protocol represented “the success” of bilateral ties.

Putonghua is an optional subject at the University of Cape Verde, Lusa reports.