The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, has decided to extend an assistance of US$107,290 for a humanitarian assistance program　entitled “The Project for Construction of No-17 Shwe Pyi Village Monastic Primary School in Mandalay Region”.

Mr. Ichiro MARUYAMA, Charge’d Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Japan to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and U Maung Naing, Chairman of No-17 Shwe Pyi Village Monastic Primary School Building　Construction Committee,　signed the grant contract on November 1, 2012.

No-17 Shwe Pyi Village Primary School opened in 1984 in a monastery. It was opened for children of poor families in order to provide basic education and religious teaching. There were no separate school buildings in the monastery, and the ground floor of the monastery and some religious buildings in the compound are being used for teaching. Over 200 students are lacking proper teaching facilities and need a new building. Although the Sayadaw (Chief Monk) and School Committee is seeking to construct a new school building, they have been facing financial difficulties.

Under such circumstances, the Government of Japan has decided to provide funding for the construction of a 60 feet x 32 feet RC two storeyed school building with six class-rooms, toilets, and school furniture for No-17 Shwe Pyi Village Monastic Primary School through its (GGP) Programme. It is expected that this assistance will provide the students with better learning environment, and further strengthen existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.