The handover and opening ceremonies of Thamanya school in Hpa-an Township and Kyar Inn Gyi school in Kyar Inn Seik Kyi Township were held on 2nd and 3rd August, 2015, respectively.

The ceremonies were attended by Mr. Yuichiro FUNAI, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, U Saw Win Htein, Kayin State Minister for Finance, U Saw Has Lawla, Kayin State Minister for Forestry and Mines, Committee Chairmen, committee members of the construction projects and local residents.

At the Thamanya school opening ceremony, U Saw Win Htein stated, “Human resources are important for a country’s development. Therefore, we recently founded the Education College in Hpa-an Township. On the other hand, the Japanese Government and its people supported a new school building in sincerity. The teachers who graduated from the Education College will teach in the supported building in the near future.” He highlighted the importance of education by reading a poem of Thamanya Sayadaw who also supported regional education development. At the Kyar Inn Gyi school opening ceremony, U Saw Has Lawla stated, “Kyar Inn Seik Kyi Township was an insurgent area for about 60 years. It will take a lot of effort and time to catch up with other nations and regions. The hard-working Japanese people impressed me when I went to Japan in 1968. Some of them kept working after they retired. By taking their diligence as a model, local leaders, teachers, committee members and parents shall have to cooperate and try hard to raise the students’ education level.”

Following that speech, Mr. FUNAI stated, “We heard that the Minister and local people tried hard to provide a good learning environment for the students. Raising the students’ education level will contribute to the country’s development. The Japanese people heartily wish the brighter future for Myanmar.”

The Government of Japan provided US$384,613 under the Japanese Government’s Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme for “The Project for Construction of Thamanya Village Basic Education Post Primary School in Hpa-an Township, Kayin State” and “The Project for Construction of Kyar Inn Gyi Village Basic Education Middle School in Kyar Inn Seik Kyi Township, Kayin State”. 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.

A student giving a promise to Mr. Funai	Students with Mr. Funai	Students waving Japanese and Myanmar flags	Ribbon cut ceremony at the new school building