H.E. Mr. Tateshi HIGUCHI, Ambassador of Japan to Myanmar, and Chairpersons of the Construction Committees from the Regions concerned signed the grant contracts for four projects on November 24, 2017. Under these contracts, Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme will provide a total of US$ 480,943 as follows:

1. The Project for Construction of Kyun Gyi Village Basic Education Middle School in Mawlamyinegyun Township, Ayeyarwady Region (USD 72,180);
2. The Project for Upgrading of Kyaik Day Yone Village Tract Road in Bago Township, Bago Region (USD 141,848);
3. The Project for Construction of Ma Dawt Chaung Village Basic Education High School in Myaungmya Township, Ayeyarwady Region (USD 119,023); and
4. The Project for Construction of Thone Gwa Village Basic Education High School in Daik-U Township, Bago Region (USD 147,892).

As the number of students is increasing year by year, Kyun Gyi Village Basic Education Middle School is not able to accept all prospective students, due to the insufficient number of classrooms. Moreover, students of different grades have been studying in one classroom. To tackle this issue, the Government of Japan will support the construction of a one-storey Reinforced Concrete Construction (R.C.C.) building with 4 classrooms, full furniture and lavatories. The project will benefit 243 students of the school.

Kyaik Day Yone Village Tract Road connects the road to Bago Town area and the Yangon-Mandalay highway. The villagers in the area transport their agricultural products to the market and transfer patients to hospital and students to high school in the town through this road. However, during the rainy season, the road becomes muddy and 52 % of students, who graduated from middle school, give up going to high school, because it takes 4 hours for round trip. Moreover, 6 emergency patients died last year, due to the late treatment. In order to address these issues, the Government of Japan will support upgrading of the 4.14 km - long road with 6 box culverts. The project will benefit 7,263 local residents.

At present, Ma Dawt Chaung Village Basic Education High School has students from 20 surrounding villages. However, over 70 students have to study in one classroom, due to the insufficient number of classrooms. In order to provide an appropriate educational environment, the Government of Japan will support construction of a two-storey R.C.C. building with 6 classrooms, full furniture and lavatories. The project will benefit 595 students of the school.

There are 5 school buildings in Thone Gwa Village Basic Education High School. However, it’s insufficient to accommodate all students. Therefore, 80 students are studying at the space under the eaves of the school building with exposure to rain and wind. In addition, 45 students are studying in a neighboring religious facility. In order to secure a proper learning environment, the Government of Japan will support construction of a two-storey R.C.C. building with 10 classrooms with full furniture. The project will benefit 899 students of the school.

The Government of Japan has assisted 824 various grass-roots projects in Myanmar under the GGP scheme since 1993: the number consisting of 399 education projects, 199 healthcare projects, 139 public welfare and environment projects, 52 infrastructure projects and 35 other projects. It is anticipated that these assistances will further strengthen the existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.