The handover and opening ceremonies at Chin Oo See Basic Education Branch Middle School in Haka Township, Chin State and Kan Oo Village Basic Education Branch Middle School in Kalay Township, Sagaing Region were held on 18th and 19th March 2016 respectively.

The ceremonies were attended by Mr. Sachio OTAKI, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, U Hong Ngai, Chin State Chief Minister, U Zo Bawi, Speaker of Chin State Parliament, Dr. Ba Maung, Chin State Minister for Social Affairs, Daw Khin Thet Htwe, Assistant Director of Sagaing Region Education Department, U Aung Zaw Moe, Kalay District Administrator, Daw Thi Thi, Assistant Director of Kalay District Education Department, Committee Persons, committee members of the construction projects, and local residents.

At the ceremony of Chin Oo See Branch Middle School, Dr. Ba Maung stated, “We, on behalf of Chin people, would like to express our gratitude for the Japanese Government and its people for building a total of 20 schools in Chin State. I encourage the teachers to nurture the students so they can improve their creative thinking and problem solving skills for Chin State’s development.”

Following the speech, Mr. Sachio OTAKI stated, “This is my first time in Chin State. I hope that this new school building will contribute to the improvement of the livelihood of the people of the state. I do believe that the students who study in this new building will become future leaders of Chin State and Myanmar.”

The Government of Japan provided US$414,571 under the Japanese Government’s Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme for “The Project for Construction of Chin Oo See Basic Education Branch Middle School in Haka Township, Chin State” and “The Project for Construction of Kan Oo Village Basic Education Branch Middle School in Kalay Township, Sagaing 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.

Mr. Otaki and students in front of Chin Oo See Basic Education Branch Middle School	Dr. Ba Maung, Chin State Minister for Social Affairs delivering his speech at Chin Oo See Basic Education Middle School	Mr. Otaki and a student at the ceremony for Kan Oo Village Basic Education Middle School	Mr. Otaki, students and committee members in front of the newly built Kan Oo Village Basic Eduation Middle School Building