The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, has granted US $277,355 for

1) The Project for Construction of Pin Laung Village Basic Education Primary School in Kanpetlet Township, Chin State (US $135,930); and
2) The Project for Construction of No.1 Basic Education Branch Middle School in Kanpetlet Township, Chin State (US$ 141,425).

The project No.1 is to assist the school 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 two schools for the above projects took place in Kanpetlet Township, Chin State respectively on 26 and 27 March 2019. Ms. Ayano SUZUKI, Third Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, committee chairpersons, committee members of the construction projects, and local residents attended the ceremonies.

The existing school building in Pin Laung Village Basic Education Primary School completely collapsed due to the cyclone. Since then, the students had to study in a temporary school building which was built with timber used for previous school building. Meanwhile, the temporary building, which was originally fragile, was greatly damaged by the flood in 2015. In order to tackle these issues, the Government of Japan provided funding for construction of a two-storey reinforced concrete building with four classrooms with full furniture and lavatories. The project benefits 44 students attending the school.

One of the school buildings of No.1 Basic Education Branch Middle School was very old and decaying. Although there were many holes on the walls and pillars were decaying, the students had to study in this building due to lack of proper classroom. In order to secure an appropriate learning environment, the Government of Japan provided funding for construction of a two-storey reinforced concrete building with eight classrooms and full furniture. The project benefits 335 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 904 grass-roots projects, including 467 education projects, 200 healthcare projects, 140 public welfare and environment projects, 61 infrastructure projects and 36 others in Myanmar under the GGP scheme since 1993. This assistance is expected to further strengthen the existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.