The handover and opening ceremonies of three upgraded medical facilities (Kyaukkyi Township Hospital, Nanthankwin Station Hospital and Mone Station Hospital), Myitta Ward Basic Education Post Primary School, Madaukkalay Basic Education Primary School and Pwekone Ward Basic Education Post Primary School took place in Kyaukkyi Township and Shwekyin Township, Bago Region on 4th and 5th June 2015.

The ceremonies were attended by Mr. Kota WATANABE, Third Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, Col. Thet Tun, Bago Region Minister for Security and Border Affairs, U Saw Jubilee San Hla, Bago Region Minister for Karen National Affairs, Daw Soe Soe Nwet, Deputy Director for the Bago Region Education Department, Dr. Daw Khin San Myint, District Medical Officer, Committee Chairman, committee members of the construction project, and local residents.

At the ceremony of Pwekone Ward Basic Education Post Primary School, U Saw Jubilee San Hla stated, “Nurturing students is a great investment for human resources development. The Government of Japan and its people provided a school building that would raise those who will bear the future of Myanmar. We are glad to know that the local Karen people are happy to receive the new school building. We, on behalf of the Bago Region Government, would like to thank the Government of Japan and its people for the great support.”

Following that speech, Mr. WATANABE stated, “We view education sector development as being important for national reconciliation. Therefore, we focus on supporting education sector development especially in ethnic areas. We appreciate the efforts of the committee, the construction company and the people concerned for the implementation of this project. We hope that the students enjoy studying and playing in this school to become future leaders of Myanmar.” He concluded the speech wishing for a long-lasting Japan-Myanmar friendly relations.

The Government of Japan provided US$478,088 under the Japanese Government’s Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme for (1) “The Project for Upgrading of Medical Facilities in Kyaukkyi Township, Bago Region” (2) “The Project for Construction of Myitta Ward Basic Education Post Primary School in Kyaukkyi Township, Bago Region” (3) “The Project for Construction of Madaukkalay Basic Education Primary School in Shwekyin Township, Bago Region” and (4) “The Project for Construction of Pwekone Ward Basic Education Post Primary School in Shwekyin Township, Bago Region”. The Government of Japan, under its GGP Scheme, is planning to continue various assistances in the future, and anticipates that it will further strengthen existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.

Ribbon cut ceremony at Myitta School	Group photo with students at Myitta School	In the new classroom at Madaukkalay School
Group photo in front of the Madaukkalay School	Students welcoming at Pwekone School	Handover ceremony at Kyaukkyi Township Hospital