H.E. Mr. Ichiro MARUYAMA, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and each representative of recipient organizations from Kachin state, Kayah State and Chin State signed the grant contracts for four projects on 29 November 2018. The Government of Japan, under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, will provide a total of US$ 610,910 as follows:

1. The Project for Construction of Lay Yin Kwin Ward Basic Education High School in Puta-O Township, Kachin State (US$ 216,069) ;
2. The Project for Construction of Aung Thar Village Basic Education Post Primary School in Bhamo Township, Kachin State (US$ 152,408) ;
3. The Project for Construction of Khoke Law Basic Education Branch Middle School in Loikaw Township, Kayah State (US$ 151,381) ; and
4. The Project for Construction of Sam Thar Village Basic Education Branch High School in Kanpetlet Township, Chin State (US$ 91,052).

Lay Yin Kwin Ward Basic Education High School is located in Puta-O Township, Kachin State. One of the school buildings which was constructed 40 years ago, seriously deteriorated. However, over 300 students have to study in this building due to the shortage of proper classrooms. 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 with full furniture. The project will benefit 968 students of the school.

In Aung Thar Village Basic Education Post Primary School, there are three school buildings. One of the buildings was constructed 32 years ago and seriously decaying. Another one is a temporary hut which was made of bamboo and GI roof. 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 provide assistance for construction of a one-storey reinforced concrete building with 6 classrooms, full furniture and lavatories. The project will benefit 328 students of the school.

Due to the insufficient number of classrooms, the villagers constructed a temporary hut in Khoke Law Basic Education Branch Middle School. The students are exposed to wind and rain while they are studying, because of the lack of proper walls and ceilings. 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, full furniture and lavatories. The project will benefit 108 students of the school.

Sam Thar Village Basic Education Branch High School is the only one high school in the surrounding 9 villages. Therefore, many students who have graduated from other primary or middle schools attend this Branch High School. However, existing 2 buildings cannot accommodate all the students and three temporary huts were constructed by villagers. The structure of the temporary huts is very vulnerable and the students are exposed to wind and rain while they are studying, due to the lack of proper walls and ceilings. 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 4 classrooms, full furniture and lavatories. The project will benefit 172 students of the school.

The Government of Japan has assisted 876 grass-roots projects in Myanmar under the GGP scheme since 1993, including 446 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.