The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP)Scheme, has decided to extend an assistance ofUS$109,045for a humanitarian assistance program　entitled “The Project for Construction of Parlikaritulut Monastic Post PrimarySchool in Shwebo Township, Sagaing Region”.

H.E. Mr.Mikio NUMATA, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and U Maung Ko, Chairman of Parlikaritulut Monastic Post Primary School Construction Committee,　signed the grant contract on January 22, 2013.

Parlikaritulut Monastic School was originally established in ward (10) of Shwebo Town to support the middle school students of near-by wards by teaching English occasionally. It opened in 2001 to provide regular English language classes and cultural and religious summer classes. In 2009, by the request of the parents, two temporary school buildings were constructed for opening primary school and the Ministry of Religious Affairs also recognized as the Parlikaritulut Monastic Primary School in the same year. In the year of 2011, the School was upgraded and the Ministry of Religious Affairs officially recognized as the Monastic Post Primary School.

A school library has also been established for enhancement of the general knowledge of the students. However, two temporary school buildings were built of bamboo and thatch and they could not be used for long term. At present, 231 students are attending the classes of grades one to six under 10 teachers. Because of insufficient classrooms, the children have to study even under the trees and in dark store room. Moreover, the school does not have enough school furniture. Therefore the children have to sit on the bare ground for their study. Although the School Management Committee is trying their best for collecting donated money from the township dwellers once a month, it only covers for regular monthly operation and cannot collect enough money for construction of a school building in need.

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.

Under such circumstances, the Government of Japan has decided to provide funding for the construction of a120’x30’ RC school building, toilets, and school furniture for ParlikaritulutMonastic Post Primary Schoolin Shwebo 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.