H.E. Mr. Tateshi HIGUCHI, Ambassador of Japan to Myanmar, and Chairpersons of the Construction Committees from Chin, Rakhine and Kachin States concerned signed the grant contracts for five projects on 27 February 2018. The Government of Japan, under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, will provide a total of US$ 830,913 as follows:

1. The Project for Construction of Ma Kyar Village Basic Education Branch Middle School in Kanpetlet Township, Chin State (US$ 181,024) ;
2. The Project for Construction of Kyar Nin Kan Village Basic Education Branch High School in Kyauktaw Township, Rakhine State (US$ 173,923) ;
3. The Project for Construction of Tat Kone Ywar Ma Basic Education Middle School in Myitkyina Township, Kachin State (US$ 131,836) ;
4. The Project for Construction of No.3 Basic Education High School in Bamaw Township, Kachin State (US$ 202,705); and
5. The Project for Construction of No.1 Basic Education Branch Middle School in Kanpelet Township, Chin State (US$ 141,425).

There are 2 school buildings in Ma Kyar Village Basic Education Branch Middle School. However these buildings cannot accommodate all the students and the students from G1 to G7 are studying in a hall-type classroom. Moreover, G8 students are studying in a house which the villagers rent. In order to provide an appropriate educational environment, the Government of Japan will provide assistance for construction of a two-storey Reinforced Concrete (RC) building with 8 classrooms and full furniture. The project will benefit 198 students of the school.

As the number of students has been increasing year by year, additional rooms built at Kyar Nin Kan Village Basic Education Branch High School. However, the number of classrooms is not enough and students are studying in a hall-type classroom. In order to tackle the issue, the Government of Japan will provide assistance for construction of a two-storey RC building with 10 classrooms and full furniture. The project will benefit 700 students of the school.

As Tat Kone Ywar Ma Basic Education Middle School has a hall-type classroom, more than 250 students are struggling to concentrate on their lessons in the same space. In other buildings, over 50 students have to study in one classroom, due to the lack of the proper classrooms. In order to tackle these challenges, the Government of Japan will provide assistance for construction of a two-storey RC building with 8 classrooms, full furniture and lavatories. The project will benefit 564 students of the school.

5 out of 8 school buildings in No.3 Basic Education High School were constructed in 1949 and seriously decayed. Due to the lack of the proper school building, the students have to study in these buildings which have been requested to demolish by Ministry of Education. In order to secure a safe learning environment, the Government of Japan will provide assistance for construction of a two-storey RC building with 10 classrooms and full furniture. The project will benefit 1,202 students of the school.

One of the school buildings of No.1 Basic Education Branch Middle School was built with fragile materials. Although there are many holes on the walls and decaying pillars, the students have to study in this building due to the shortage of proper classrooms. In order to secure an appropriate learning environment, the Government of Japan will provide assistance for the construction of a two-storey RC building with 8 classrooms and full furniture. The project will benefit 335 students of the school.

The Government of Japan has assisted 851 various grass-roots projects in Myanmar under the GGP scheme since 1993: the number consisting of 422 education projects, 201 healthcare projects, 139 public welfare and environment projects, 54 infrastructure projects and 35 other projects. It is expected that these assistances will further strengthen the existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.