At a time when the government is accused of playing the China card, the private sector in Kathmandu has been playing the Chinese language card. The Chinese government has assigned 20 volunteers to teach Mandarin here. About 16 schools are reported to have started teaching Chinese, and Beijing is financing the teachers but the schools are asked to pay for other costs. Students up to class eight are given the language training in popular schools that include Galaxy, Paragon, EPS, LRI, Saraswati Kunj and Kathmandu International. According to government officials, there are preparations underway to include the Chinese language in the curriculum up to the SLC level. Discussions are already being held at the curriculum development centre and in order to get permission from the Education Ministry. The China Study Centre is already operating language training in several parts of the country, including Dharan, Pokhara, Kathmandu and Banepa.