Understanding Chinese Language Program and Student Enrollment Decisions in Secondary Schools in Uganda: A Case of Kawempe Division

The general objective of the study was to assess students’ awareness and perceptions of the Chinese language program in secondary schools in Kawempe Division. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional research design. The study population included students enrolled in secondary schools offering Chinese in Kawempe Division. A total of 150 students were selected from the schools offering Chinese language programs. Stratified random sampling was used to ensure representation from each school and grade level. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire’s content validity was ensured through expert review by language education specialists and by piloting it in a school outside Kawempe Division. Reliability was measured using Cronbach’s Alpha. Quantitative data were coded and entered into SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages summarised students’ attitudes, awareness, motivations, and enrollment trends. The findings of this study reveal that student enrollment in the Chinese language program in Kawempe Division is shaped by a complex interplay of factors: while awareness of the program exists, it is uneven and often linked to a pragmatic understanding of its benefits, such as scholarships and future employment.