The Japanese Government, under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, has granted US$ 544,752 for

1) The Project for Construction of Pyintar Village Basic Education Branch Middle School in Gangaw Township, Magway Region (US$ 125,825);
2) The Project for Construction of No.2 Basic Education Primary School in Ka Nan Village in Tamu Township, Sagaing Region (US$ 101,855);
3) The Project for Construction of Min Tha Mee Village Basic Education Branch Middle School in Tamu Township, Sagaing Region (US$ 140,419);
4) The Project for Construction of Put Thar Village Basic Education Branch Middle School in Tamu Township, Sagaing Region (US$ 82,207); and
5) The Project for Construction of Ah Hlaw Village Basic Education Post Primary School in Tamu Township, Sagaing Region (US$ 94,446).

The above 5 projects are to assist the schools out of 493 flood affected schools requested by the Government of Myanmar to the Government of Japan for the reconstruction and rehabilitation.

The handover ceremonies of 5 projects took place in Gangaw and Tamu Townships on 13th, 14th and 15th December 2017, respectively. Ms. Ayano SUZUKI, Third Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, U Bhyuu Lwin, Member of Parliament of Amyotha Hluttaw of Gangaw Township, U Maung Maung Latt, Member of Parliament of Amyotha Hluttaw of Tamu Township, Daw Yin Min Hlaing, Member of Parliament of Pyithu Hluttaw of Gangaw Township, U Naing Naing Win, Member of Parliament of Pyithu Hluttaw of Tamu Township, U Aung San Win, Member of Magway Region Hluttaw, Gangaw Township Consistency No.2, District and Township Government Officials, committee chairpersons, committee members of the construction projects, and local residents attended the ceremonies.

Since Pyintar Village Basic Education Branch Middle School is located on the bank of Myit Thar River, the school had long faced the threat of floods. Due to the huge landslide caused by the flood in July 2015, the single school building was seriously damaged and the school had to move to a higher ground. Due to the lack of the school building, all the students were studying in temporary school buildings which were made of bamboo. In order to provide a secure learning environment, the Government of Japan has provided funding for construction of a two-storey Reinforced Concrete Construction (R.C.C.) building with 10 classrooms, full furniture and lavatories. The project benefits 157 students of the school.

The school building of No.2 Basic Education Primary School in Ka Nan Village, collapsed due to the flood in 2015, and the school moved to a higher ground. Although the new school building was constructed, the number of classrooms was insufficient. Therefore, over 100 students had to study in a temporary building. In order to provide an appropriate educational environment, the Government of Japan has provided funding for construction of a two-storey R.C.C. building with 6 classrooms with full furniture. The project will benefit 256 students of the school.

In Min Tha Mee Village Basic Education Branch Middle School, the flood occurred in July 2015 had submerged 4 school buildings under 12 feet of water and they almost fell down. Due to the lack of the school building, 170 students were studying in a temporary building with exposure to wind and rain. In order to tackle the issue, the Government of Japan provided funding for construction of a two-storey R.C.C. building with 8 classrooms, full furniture and lavatories. The project will benefit 326 students and 9 teachers of the school.

The 2 school buildings in Put Thar Village Basic Education Branch Middle School were flooded at the height of 15 feet by the flood in 2015, and totally collapsed. Due to the insufficient number of classrooms, the students of 5 grades had to study in a staff quarter without partition. In order to provide a secure learning environment, the Government of Japan provided funding for construction of a one-storey R.C.C. building with 4 classrooms and full furniture. The project benefits 130 students of the school.

Ah Hlaw Village Basic Education Post Primary School was hit by the flood in 2015 and moved to a higher ground. Although the new school buildings were constructed, the number of classrooms was insufficient. Therefore, the students of 3 grades had to study in a staff quarter. In order to secure a proper learning environment, the Government of Japan provided funding for construction of a one-storey R.C.C. building with 4 classrooms and full furniture. The project benefits 94 students of the school.

Japan has experienced many natural disasters in the past. Accordingly, Japan has learnt the lessons from the past disasters and introduced the concept "Build Back Better" worldwide. "Build Back Better" is to reconstruct our society after a disaster, much better and stronger than before a disaster in order to reduce potential disaster risks. Based on this concept, the new school buildings which have provided under the GGP scheme, have stronger structure than flood affected buildings.

The Government of Japan has assisted 833 various grass-roots projects in Myanmar under the GGP scheme since 1993: the number consisting of 406 education projects, 199 healthcare projects, 139 public welfare and environment projects, 54 infrastructure projects and 35 other projects. It is anticipated that these assistances will further strengthen the existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.