The Government of Japan, under its　Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP)Scheme, has　decided to extend an assistance ofUS$102,650for a humanitarian assistance program　entitled “The Project for Construction　of　Dekkhinayone　Dhamma　Maydini　Monastic Post Primary School in　Waw Township, Bago Region”.

H.E.　Mr.Mikio NUMATA, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and U Kyaw　Swe, Chairman　of　Dekkhinayone　Dhamma　Maydini　Monastic Post Primary School　Management Committee,　signed the grant contract on January 22, 2013.

The　School　opened in 2009 at　the Dekkhinayone　Dhamma　Maydini　Monastery in Kyaik　Hla Village, Waw Township by using the monastic building as the class-rooms. In order to provide basic education and religious teaching, it opened for the children of poor families who cannot afford to attend the government schools.In 2011, the school wasapproved as the Monastic Primary School by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. In the year 2012, the school also accepted the children under 5 to attend the pre-primary class.

At present, 274 students are studying with 10 teachers at this school and it is affiliated with the Middle School of Waw Township. Since there is no separate school building at this school, the classrooms are located mainly at the main monastic building and open religious building.

Therefore the classes had to be cancelled whenever the religious ceremonies are held at the monastery. In addition, the windy rain often interrupts the classes. Although,　the Sayadaw(Chief Monk),the　School Management　Committee and village people are seeking to construct anew school building, they who mostly consist of low-income families, are facing financial difficulties.

Undersuch circumstances, the Government of Japan has decided to provide funding for the construction of a120’x30’ RC school building, toilets, and school furniture for　Kyaik　Hla　Village　Dekkhinayone　Dhamma　Maydini　Monastic Post Primary School　in Waw Township through its GGPScheme.It is expected that this assistance willprovide the students with better learning and sanitation environmentand further strengthen existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.