H.E. Mr. Tateshi HIGUCHI, Ambassador of Japan to Myanmar, and Chairpersons of the Construction Committees from Sagaing and Mandalay Regions concerned signed the grant contracts for three projects on 14 February 2018. The Government of Japan, under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, will provide a total of US$ 281,592 as follows:

1. The Project for Construction of Kyoet Kone Village Basic Education Branch Middle School in Budalin Township, Sagaing Region (US$ 53,486) ;
2. The Project for Construction of Tha Pyay Kan Village Basic Education Branch Middle School in Meiktila Township, Mandalay Region (US$ 80,410) ; and
3. The Project for Construction of Hpyu Twin Kone Village Monastic Post Primary School in Ngazun Township, Mandalay Region (US$ 147,696).

Kyoet Kone Village Basic Education Branch Middle School has faced the lack of proper classrooms. Although there are 4 school buildings including a staff quarter, the students have to study in one of the school buildings which seriously decayed. In order to tackle these issues, the Government of Japan will support construction of a one-storey Reinforced Concrete (RC) building with 3 classrooms and full furniture. The project will benefit 339 students of the school.

One of the school buildings of Tha Pyay Kan Village Basic Education Branch Middle School was constructed in 1986. Although there are many holes on the walls and decaying pillars of that building, the students have to study there due to the shortage of proper classrooms. Moreover, the students of 2 grades have to study in one classroom in the other building. In order to provide a proper learning environment, the Government of Japan will support the construction of a two-storey RC building with 4 classrooms and full furniture. The project will benefit 297 students of the school.

There is no proper school building in Hpyu Twin Kone Village Monastic Post Primary School. The students from G1 to G8 are studying in 2 temporary huts which are made of bamboo. What is worse, KG students have to study in a rest space and G9 students are studying in a garage. In order to secure an appropriate learning environment, the Government of Japan will support construction of a two-storey RC building with 10 classrooms, full furniture and lavatories. The project will benefit 171 students of the school.

The Government of Japan has assisted 849 various grass-roots projects in Myanmar under the GGP scheme since 1993: the number consisting of 421 education projects, 201 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.