The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, has granted US $228,106 for

1) The Project for Construction of Hpyu Twin Kone Village Monastic Post Primary School in Township, Mandalay Region (US $147,696); and
2) The Project for Construction of Tha Pyay Kan Village Basic Education Branch Middle School in Meiktila Township, Mandalay Region (US $80,410).

The handover ceremonies of these schools for the above projects took place in Ngazun and Meiktila Townships, Mandalay Region on 19 and 20 January 2019, respectively. Ms. Suzumi SEKINE, Third Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, U Aung Kyaw Oo, Speaker of Mandalay Region Hluttaw, Dr. Khin Maung Htay, Deputy Speaker of Mandalay Region Hluttaw, U Myo Thit, Minister for Natural Resources and Environment Conservation of Mandalay Region, U Soe Than, Mandalay Region Hluttaw elected representative for Meiktila Constituency, committee chairpersons, committee members of the construction projects, and local residents attended the ceremonies.

Since there was no school building in Hpyu Twin Kone Village Monastic Post Primary School, the villagers built 2 temporary huts in 2014. However, these temporary huts could not accommodate all the students and some of the students had to use rooms for resting and a garage in the monastery. Therefore, the school had to be closed when religious ceremonies were held. Many students were also exposed to wind and rain during their studies. In order to provide an appropriate educational environment, the Government of Japan provided funding for construction of a two-storey reinforced concrete building with 10 classrooms, full furniture, lavatories and water supply. The project benefits 171 students attending the school.

There were three school buildings in Tha Pyay Kan Village Basic Education Branch Middle School. However, Building No.1 seriously deteriorated and pillars were decaying. Students had been studying in the unsafe building, due to lack of an alternative. In order to provide an appropriate educational environment, the Government of Japan provided funding for construction of a two-storey reinforced concrete building with 4 classrooms, full furniture, lavatories and water supply. The project benefits 297 students attending the school.

The Government of Japan has assisted 883 various grass-roots projects in Myanmar under the GGP scheme since 1993: the number consisting of 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.