H.E. Mr. Ichiro MARUYAMA, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and each representative of recipient organizations from Chine State signed grant contracts for three projects on 15 November 2018. The Government of Japan, under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, will provide a total of US $483,215 as follows:

1. The Project for Construction of Suangdo Village Basic Education Branch High School in Falam Township, Chin State (US $175,428) ;
2. The Project for Construction of Vangva Village Basic Education Branch Middle School in Falam Township, Chin State (US $116,766) ; and
3. The Project for Construction of Bukphil Village Basic Education Middle School in Tedim Township, Chin State (US $191,021).

Suangdo Village Basic Education Branch High School is located in Falam Township, Chin State. There are two wooden buildings at this school. However, the structure of the buildings is very old and poor, and the buildings are in danger of collapsing. Moreover, there is no proper wall to separate the classrooms, the students are not able to focus on their studies due to the noise from other grades. In order to provide an appropriate educational environment, the Government of Japan will provide assistance for construction of a two-storey reinforced concrete building with 8 classrooms, full furniture and lavatories. The project will benefit 210 students attending the school.

Another school in Falam Township, Vangva Village Basic Education Branch Middle School, has one building for kindergarten to grade 8 students. Since it is old wooden building constructed more than 20 years ago, pillars are decaying and there is a risk of collapse. In addition, walls to separate classrooms are made of bamboo, so the noise from other grades 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 5 classrooms, full furniture and lavatories. The project will benefit 63 students attending the school.

In Bukphil Village Basic Education Middle School in Tedim Township, there are three school buildings. Among the three school buildings, one is very old and has a GI roof and walls. In another building, the students are exposed to wind and rain since the building wall has many holes and gaps. Despite this, the students from kindergarten to grade 8 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 provide assistance for construction of a two-storey reinforced concrete building with 8 classrooms, full furniture and lavatories. The project will benefit 236 students attending the school.

The Government of Japan has assisted 872 grass-roots projects in Myanmar under the GGP scheme since 1993, including 442 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.