The hand-over and opening ceremony of a school building at Pakokku Middle School in Dawei Township, Tanintharyi Region was held on June 24, 2013.It was constructed under the Japanese Government’s Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Project (GGP) Scheme.

The hand-over and opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Hideaki Matsuo, Counselor of the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, U Win Swe, Minister for Electricity and Industry in Tanintharyi Region, responsible officials from respective organizations and local residents.

At the ceremony, Mr Matsuo said in his remarks “260 numbers of school building have been constructed or renovated under the Education Sector of GGP Scheme in Myanmar so far. From now on also, we would like to continue this assistance for further.”

Then, Regional Minister H.E.U Win Swe mentioned in his speech that turning to the opening page of a history book, the people can read a story about relationship between Japan and Myanmar, and it shows how our relationship is so close. H.E. U Win Swe also expressed his sincere gratitude to the Government of Japan and the Japanese people for their long lasting kind assistance, and the relationship between the two countries.

The Pakokku Monastic School takes care of children who are orphanage or from poor families in the border area with Thailand, then provides education to them. Currently, there are 280 school children in the Monastery, increasing more than 100 compared to the last year. Some children bring their friends others, who are not attending school, to go to the school together from their home town during their school holiday season. The monastic school provides not only school subjects but also Myanmar culture and polite manners.

The Japanese Government granted USD81,520 for the construction of this school building and toilets. The Government of Japan intends to provide this kind of grassroots grant assistance in various sectors to support the people in this country. It is expected that this assistance will further strengthen existing friendly relation, between Japan and Myanmar.