The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP)Scheme, has decided to extend an assistance ofUS$95,785for a humanitarian assistance program　entitled “The Project for Construction of Shwedaung Monastic Post Primary School in Bago Township, Bago Region”.

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

Shwedaung Monastic Primary School　opened in 1993 at a monastery in Zaingganaing Ward of Bago City to teach 25 children of poor families by using the monastic buildings as the class-rooms. In 2006, the school was approved as the Monastic Primary School by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.　Since the numbers of student at school are gradually increasing year by year, the School Management Committee constructed a two-storied60’x30’ school building in 2009 by the contribution of ward dwellers.

At present, 299 students are studying with 11 teachers at this school and it is affiliated by the Basic Education High School No.4 of Bago City. All classes from Grade one to Grade six are being located at small two-storied hall-typed building and the students are studying in the congested and noisy class-rooms even at the verandah of the first floor. The school has only 3 rooms of toilet for all the students and teachers. Although, the Sayadaw (Chief Monk),the School Management Committee and ward dwellers are seeking to construct a new school building, they, mostly low-income families, are facing financial difficulties.

Under　such circumstances, the Government of Japan has decided to provide funding for the construction of a　two-storied 40’x32’ RC school building, toilets, and school furniture for　Shwedaung　Monastic Post Primary School　in Bago City　through its GGP　Scheme.　It is expected that this assistance will　provide the students with better learning and sanitation environment　and further strengthen existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.