The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, has granted US $288,288 for

1) The Project for Construction of Nga Pyaw Taw Village Basic Education Primary School in Letpadan Township, Bago Region (US $101,071);
2) The Project for Construction of No.1 Basic Education Primary School in Ta Yaw Kone Ward, Aunglan Township, Magway Region (US $100,380); and
3) The Project for Construction of Ywar Thit Gyi Village Basic Education Branch Middle School in Myaing Township, Magway Region (US $86,837).

The project No.1 is 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 three schools for the above projects took place in Bago and Magway Regions on 14, 15 and 16 January 2019. Mr. Tadashi NODA, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, U Kyaw Min, Pyithu Hluttaw elected representative for Letpadan Constituency in Bago Region, U Zaw Min, Minister for Planning, Finance and Development Affairs of Magway Region, Dr. Khin Maung Aye, Minister for Social Affairs of Magway Region, U Myint Zaw, Minister for Natural Resources, Environmental Conservation, Electricity and Energy of Magway Region, committee chairpersons, committee members of the construction projects, and local residents attended the ceremonies.

Nga Pyaw Taw Village Basic Education Primary School had a high-floored school building which was built in 1970. However, it was completely submerged and deteriorated due to the flood in 2015. Although the school building nearly collapsed, the students still had to study in this building due to lack of alternate school building. In order to provide a secure educational environment, the Government of Japan provided funding for construction of a one-storey reinforced concrete building with 5 classrooms, full furniture, walkway, lavatories and water supply. The project benefits 123 students attending the school.

The school building in No.1 Basic Education Primary School in Ta Yaw Kone Ward was partially destroyed by the heavy rain in 2015. Due to the limited number of classrooms, most of the students had to study in a hall-type classroom under congested conditions. In order to tackle the issue, the Government of Japan provided funding for construction of a two-storey reinforced concrete construction building with 6 classrooms and full furniture. The project benefits 273 students attending the school.

In Ywar Thit Gyi Village Basic Education Branch Middle School, there were two school buildings. However, due to the shortage of proper classrooms, over 80 students were studying in a temporary school building which was made of bamboo and they were exposed to rain and wind. In order to secure an appropriate educational environment, the Government of Japan provided funding for construction of a one-storey reinforced concrete construction building with 4 classrooms, full furniture and lavatories. The project benefits 202 students attending the school.

Japan has experienced many natural disasters in the past. Accordingly, Japan has learnt 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 been constructed under the GGP scheme have stronger structure than flood affected buildings.

The Government of Japan has assisted 883 various grass-roots projects in Myanmar under the GGP scheme since 1993, including 453 education projects, 200 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.