The handover and opening ceremonies of the Ah Htet Paykone Village Basic Education Branch High School and the Nyaunggu Village Basic Education High School in Wakema Township, Ayeyarwady Region took place on 26th November 2014.

These ceremonies were attended by Col. Takeshi HARA, First Secretary and Defense Attaché of the Embassy of Japan, U Saw Mya Thein, Minister for Electric Power and Industry of Ayeyarwady Region, Deputy Director of Region Education Department, teachers and students, committee chairman and committee members of the projects and local residents.

At the ceremonies, U Saw Mya Thein, Minister for Electric Power and Industry of Ayeyarwady Region, stated, “the new Government headed by President Thein Sein has been focusing on education and health sectors development. Although the Government is supporting school constructions, some places have gaps because of budget limits. In this situation, the Government of Japan and its people have supported the needed schools.” He concluded his speech by expressing his deepest gratitude to the Japanese Government and its people.

Following that speech, Col. HARA, stated, “This new school building is a present from the Japanese people to the schoolchildren who are future leaders of Myanmar. The Government of Japan is offering assistance to upgrade and strengthen Myanmar’s education sector. We have assisted 317 education sector projects such as school renovation and new school construction in this country. We appreciate the efforts of the construction committee, company and the people concerned for the implementation. This project would not be successful without their efforts.” He concluded the speech wishing for a long-lasting Japan-Myanmar friendly relations.

The Japanese Government provided US$241,710 under its Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme for the construction of the Ah Htet Paykone Village Basic Education Branch High School and for the construction of the Nyaunggu Village Basic Education High School in Wakema Township, Ayeyarwady Region. The Government of Japan, under its GGP Scheme, is planning to continue various assistances in the future. The Japanese Government anticipates that this assistance will further strengthen existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar, which marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.

Ribbon cut ceremony of Ah Htet Paykone Village Basic Education Branch High School	Ribbon cut ceremony of Nyaunggu Village Basic Education High School