The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, has granted US$ 329,119 for

1) The Project for Construction of Aung Thu Kha Village Basic Education Branch Primary School in Okpho Township, Bago Region (US$ 75,664);
2) The Project for Construction of Tet Swe Village Basic Education Post Primary School in Okpho Township, Bago Region (US$ 89,835);
3) The Project for Construction of Htan Gone Village Basic Education Primary School in Gyobingauk Township, Bago Region (US$ 81,111); and
4) The Project for Construction of Min Oh Village Basic Education Primary School in Gyobingauk Township, Bago Region (US$ 82,509).

The above 4 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 4 projects took place in Okpho and Gyobingauk Townships on 29 and 30 January 2018 respectively. Mr. Toshimichi KOGA, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, committee chairpersons, committee members of the construction projects, and local residents attended the ceremonies.

The terrible flood in July 2015 devastated damage to the school building that was built in 2011 in Aung Thu Kha Village Basic Education Branch Primary School. Moreover, in addition to all the desks and chairs, the school lost lavatories by the flood. Therefore, all school children had to learn at other schools in Okpho Town away from the village or nearby monasteries. In order to tackle these difficulties, the Government of Japan has provided funding for construction of a one-storey Reinforced Cement Concrete (R.C.C.) building with 5 classrooms, full furniture and lavatories. The project benefits 165 students of the school.

The old school building of Tet Swe Village Basic Education Post Primary School had been damaged by the flood in 2015. Even before the flood, the learning environment was poor in a narrow classroom with no partition. In order to improve such situation, the Government of Japan has provided funding for construction of a one-storey R.C.C. building with 5 classrooms, full furniture and lavatories. The project benefits 123 students of the school.

In Htan Gone Village Basic Education Primary School, the flood occurred in July 2015 had submerged the school building under 4 feet of water. Due to the innumerable holes in walls and roofs and harsh condition of corroded floor, students were exposed to rain and wind while studying. Under such circumstances, the Government of Japan has provided funding for construction of a one-storey R.C.C. building with 5 classrooms, full furniture, walkway and lavatories. The project benefits 70 students of the school.

Min Oh Village Basic Education Primary School had also submerged the school building under 5 feet of water and seriously damaged by the flood. Thereore, one of the school buidings cannot be used afterwards. In order to tackle such difficulties, the Government of Japan has provided funding for construction of a one-storey R.C.C. building with 5 classrooms, full furniture, walkway and lavatories. The project benefits 86 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 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.