On 26th November 2014, Col. Takeshi HARA, First Secretary and Defense Attaché of the Embassy of Japan, U Saw Mya Thein, Minister for Electric Power and Industry of Ayeyarwady Region, Deputy Director of Region Education Department, District and Township Education Officers, District and Township Administrators, teachers and students, committee chairman and committee members of the projects and local residents attended the hand-over and opening ceremonies of Ah Htet Paykone Village Basic Education Branch High School and Nyaunggu Village Basic Education High School were held in Wakema Township, Ayeyarwady Region.

The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, has extended the assistance totaling US$241,710 for two humanitarian assistance programs entitled:

1. The Project for Construction of Ah Htet Paykone Village Basic Education Branch High School in Wakema Township, Ayeyarwady Region, US$120,955

2. The Project for Construction of Nyaunggu Village Basic Education High School in Wakema Township, Ayeyarwady Region, US$120,755

1,467 students at Ah Htet Paykone Village Basic Education Branch High School and 850 students at Nyaunggu Village Basic Education High School in Wakema Township, Ayeyarwady Region will directly benefit from the improved learning environment including new school buildings with necessary furniture provided by the Japanese Government’s GGP scheme. It is expected that these assistance will provide better learning environments for the students in Ah Htet Paykon and Nyaunggu Villages, Wakema Township, Ayeyarwady Region.

Japan has conducted 695 various grass-roots projects in Myanmar under this GGP scheme since 1993. The number consists of 317 education projects, 175 health care projects, 136 public welfare and environment projects, 31 infrastructure projects and 36 projects in other fields. It is expected that these assistances will further strengthen existing friendly relations between Myanmar and Japan, which marks its 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.