The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, has granted US$ 293,413 for

1) The Project for Construction of Nam Pyan Village Basic Education Primary School in Tachileik Township, Shan State (US$ 65,513);
2) The Project for Construction of Nam Kaing Village Basic Education Branch Middle School in Tachileik Township, Shan State (US$ 130,742); and
3) The Project for Construction of Wan Mee Mai Village Basic Education Primary School in Tachileik Township, Shan State (US$ 97,158).

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 3 projects took place in Tachileik Township on 27 February 2018. Ms. Ayano SUZUKI, Third Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, U Khin Maung Tint, Member of Shan State Hluttaw elected for Tachileik Township Consistency No.2, committee chairpersons, committee members of the construction projects, and local residents attended the ceremonies.

The school building, lavatories and furniture in Nam Pyan Village Basic Education Primary School were washed away by the flood in 2015. Therefore, all the students had to study in a temporary school building which was constructed by the villagers. However, the students were exposed to wind and rain while studying, because the temporary school building was made of fragile materials such as GI sheet and bamboo. In order to secure a proper learning environment, the Government of Japan has provided funding for construction of a one-storey Reinforced Concrete (RC) building with 3 classrooms, full furniture and lavatories. The project benefits 40 students of the school.

One of the school building of Nam Kaing Village Basic Education Branch Middle School was seriously collapsed by the flood in 2015. However, the students had to study in that building under a dangerous condition due to the insufficient number of classrooms. In order to improve a poor learning environment, the Government of Japan has provided funding for construction of a one-storey RC building with 7 classrooms, full furniture and lavatories. The project benefits 143 students of the school.

The students of Wan Mee Mai Village Basic Education Primary School had to study in a neighboring church, because the school building was completely destroyed by the flood in 2015. In the church, the students were exposure to wind and rain while studying, because of the lack of doors. Under such circumstances, the Government of Japan has provided funding for construction of a one-storey RC building with 5 classrooms, full furniture, walkway and lavatories. The project benefits 42 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 846 various grass-roots projects in Myanmar under the GGP scheme since 1993: the number consisting of 417 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.