The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, has granted US$ 290,480 for the following 3 projects in Bago Region:

1) The Project for Construction of Taw La Tha Village Basic Education Middle School in Letpadan Township, Bago Region (US$ 98,540);
2) The Project for Construction of Chaung Thone Kwa Village Basic Education Primary School in Letpadan Township, Bago Region (US$ 101,680); and
3) The Project for Construction of Kyauk Aine Village Basic Education Post Primary School in Letpadan Township, Bago Region (US$ 90,260).

The above 3 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 the projects took place in Letpadan Township on 29 and 30 January 2018. Mr. Wataru SUZUKI, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, committee chairpersons, committee members of the construction projects, and local residents attended the ceremonies.

There were two school buildings, including a temporary building in Taw La Tha Village Middle School. The temporary school building and a bridge connecting to the school were destroyed during the flood in 2015. Therefore, all the students had to study in congested rooms of the remaining building. And it was dangerous for the students to cross the collapsed bridge from the main road to the school. In order to tackle these issues, the Government of Japan, under its GGP scheme, has provided funding for construction of a one-storey Reinforced Concrete building with 5 classrooms, full furniture and a RC bridge. The project benefits 369 students and 14 teachers of the school.

By the flood in 2015, the floor and walling of the school building in Chaung Thone Kwa Village Primary School were destroyed. Therefore, it was impossible for the students to continue studying and they had to study in a nearby monastery. Moreover, the lavatories for the students were also destroyed. In order to secure a proper educational environment, the Government of Japan, under its GGP scheme, has provided funding for construction of a one-storey RC building with 5 classrooms, full furniture, lavatories and walkway between school building and lavatories. The project benefits 193 students and 6 teachers of the school.

During the flood in 2015, the two school buildings in Kyauk Aine Village Post Primary School had been soaked in water for a long time and seriously deteriorated. Therefore, due to the insufficient of the classrooms, more than 100 students had to study in congested manner in each dangerous building. The lavatories for the students were also destroyed and all students had to use the lavatories for teachers. In order to secure a proper educational environment, the Government of Japan, under its GGP scheme, has provided funding for construction of a one-storey RC building with 6 classrooms, full furniture, lavatories and walkway between the school building and lavatories. The project benefits 236 students and 8 teachers 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 842 various grass-roots projects in Myanmar under the GGP scheme since 1993: the number consisting of 414 education projects, 200 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.