H.E. Mr. Ichiro MARUYAMA, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and each representative of recipient organizations from Kayah State, Tanintharyi Region and Ayeyarwady Region, signed grant contracts for four projects on 7 November 2018. The Government of Japan, under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, will provide a total of US $311,595 as follows:

1. The Project for Construction of Nan Hu Kone Village Basic Education Primary School in Hpasawng Township, Kayah State (US $77,293) ;
2. The Project for Construction of Lo Khar Lo Village Basic Education Primary School in Hpasawng Township, Kayah State (US $76,257) ;
3. The Project for Construction of Hput Let To Village Basic Education Primary School in Dawei Township, Tanintharyi Region (US $81,343) ; and
4. The Project for Construction of Yat Thar Gyi Village Basic Education Middle School in Yegyi Township, Ayeyarwady Region (US $76,702).

Nan Hu Kone Village is located in Hpasawng Township, Kayah State. Nan Hu Kone Village Basic Education Primary School has a building with 3 classrooms constructed 27 years ago. Students from kindergarten through grade 4 are studying in the three classrooms each divided by small partitions. As such, students are studying in old and congested classrooms. Although there are more applicants for enrollment from nearby villages, they have to refuse the enrollement due to lack of the space and furniture. In order to tackle this issue, the Government of Japan will provide assistance for construction of a one-storey reinforced concrete building with 5 classrooms and full furniture. The project will benefit 74 students attending the school.

At another school in Hpasawng Township, Lo Khar Lo Village Basic Education Primary School, two grades have to share one room due to the lack of classrooms in the school, and therefore the classrooms are congested and the students are not able to focus on their studies due to the noise from other grades. Although there is not enough space at this school, the student population increases each year, since there is no other school nearby. In order to provide an appropriate educational environment, the Government of Japan will provide assistance for construction of a one-storey reinforced concrete building with 3 classrooms, full furniture and lavatories. The project will benefit 83 students attending the school.

Hput Let To Village Basic Education Primary School is located in Dawei Township, Tanintharyi Region. Although there are two buildings at this school, the structure of the buildings is very simple and the students are exposed to wind and rain while they are studying, due to the lack of proper windows and ceilings. Moreover, there is no wall to separate classrooms, so students of multiple grades are studying in one space and the noise causes disruptions. In order to provide an appropriate educational environment, the Government of Japan will provide assistance for construction of a one-storey reinforced concrete building with 4 classrooms and full furniture. The project will benefit 68 students attending the school.

In Yat Thar Gyi Village Basic Education Middle School, there are three school buildings. Among the three school buildings, one is very old and has simple bamboo walls and a tin roof. In another building, the students are exposed to wind and rain since the building is missing one wall. Despite this, the students are studying in these buildings due to the shortage of proper classrooms. In order to secure a proper learning environment, the Government of Japan will support construction of a one-storey reinforced concrete building with 5 classrooms and full furniture. The project will benefit 349 students attending the school.

The Government of Japan has assisted 869 grass-roots projects in Myanmar under the GGP scheme since 1993, including 439 education projects, 200 healthcare projects, 140 public welfare and environment projects, 55 infrastructure projects and 35 other projects. It is expected that this assistance will further strengthen the existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.