The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, has granted US$ 334,841 for

1) The Project for Construction of Chinpyitkaing Village Basic Education Primary School in Sidoktaya Township, Magway Region (US$ 83,113);
2) The Project for Construction of Pwintaut Village Basic Education Post Primary School in Sidoktaya Township, Magway Region (US$ 111,714); and
3) The Project for Construction of Ngale Village Basic Education Post Primary School in Sidoktaya Township, Magway Region (US$ 140,014).

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 new school buildings for 3 projects took place in Sidoktaya Township on 15 and 16 May 2018, respectively. Mr.Satoshi NISHIZAWA, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, Dr. Khin Maung Aye, Minister for Ministry of Social Affairs of Magwayy Region, committee chairpersons, committee members of the construction projects, and local residents attended the ceremonies.

Since Chinpyitkaing Village Basic Education Primary School was located on the lowland, the school had long faced the threat of floods. In July 2015, the school building was hit by the flood and seriously damaged. However all the students were studying in this damaged building. In order to provide a secure learning environment, the Government of Japan has provided funding for construction of a one-storey Reinforced Concrete (RC) building with 5 classrooms with full furniture and lavatories. The project benefits 36 students of the school.

The school building of Pwintaut Village Basic Education Post Primary School completely collapsed due to the flood in 2015. Although the temporary school building was constructed, the number of proper classrooms was insufficient. Therefore, the students of 6 grades had to study in a neighbouring monastery. In order to provide an appropriate educational environment, the Government of Japan has provided funding for construction of a two-storey RC building with 6 classrooms with full furniture, walkway and lavatories. The project will benefit 92 students of the school.

Similarly, the flood had submerged 2 school buildings under 20 feet of water and one of them almost fell down in Ngale Village Basic Education Post Primary School. However the students had to study in these buildings due to the lack of the proper school buildings. In order to tackle the issue, the Government of Japan provided funding for construction of a two-storey RC building with 8 classrooms with full furniture and lavatories. The project will benefit 120 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 866 various grass-roots projects in Myanmar under the GGP scheme since 1993: the number consisting of 435 education projects, 201 healthcare projects, 140 public welfare and environment projects, 55 infrastructure projects and 35 other projects. It is expected that these assistances will further strengthen the existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.