Ladies and Gentlemen

A very Good Morning to you all

It is my great honour and privilege to represent the Government and people of Japan in the official opening of the renovation works and  new classroom block comprising of three classrooms with furniture here at Vunimono Islamia Primary School.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generous hospitality and the warm and friendly welcome extended to me and my colleague today.

In recognition of the critical importance of education in the overall formula for development and success, Japan has prioritized the development of basic facilities at educational institutions in Fiji and the provision of training opportunities in Japan for many Fijian Nationals.

Through the various assistance programmes, Japan has endeavoured to assist the people of Fiji by contributing to the development of the educational facilities as well as students. The Vunimono Islamia Primary School project is one of the outcomes of such initiatives.
This project, as many of you would know, was funded under the Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects scheme. This scheme, which is more commonly known as the GGP scheme, was designed and founded upon the concepts of “Human Security”.

Human security means focusing on individual people and building societies in which everyone can live with dignity by protecting and empowering individual’s environment and communities that are exposed to actual or potential difficulties and challenges, especially in their daily lives. GGP seeks to serve towards “Human Security” based on such principles.

Therefore, the principles of this scheme are in line with Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy of promoting development at the grassroots level.

Education is seen as a universal right of an individual. In fact, only one hundred years ago, Japan was merely a small, poorly-resourced developing country, but its enhancement on education contributed immensely to Japan’s economic success. Therefore, Japan has continued to focus its assistance through the ODA programs to other countries in the field of education.

Currently, such Japan’s concept has been widely shared among the international community and it has contributed towards one of the major goals of United Nations Millennium Development Goals which aims to maximise the spread of primary education until 2015.

Today’s event is the most evident manifestation of Japan’s continuous support and firm commitment towards improving learning environment in Fiji. Investments in education will benefit individuals as well as the community, and not only for now but also the future generation. Education is vital to survive in this modern era as it guides us to a better life through improvement in the capacity of individuals. In addition, it is my hope that this token from the Government and the people of Japan will serve to strengthen the cordial relations and friendship between the governments and the people of Fiji and Japan.

Ladies and Gentlemen, before I conclude, allow me to address the students and the management of this school.

I remind you, the students that the success of this institute lies in your success. Japan’s grant for the construction of these new classrooms and renovation work is for you. You have good facilities and teachers to guide you. The onus is on you. Please study hard, make the most of every precious time spent in this school, and aim to become good and productive citizens of this country.

For the school management and in particular the Principal, I have words of gratitude for being able to work so efficiently in successfully completing this project. I hope that you all will continue to work diligently to maintain the facilities provided to this school. 

With these few words, for the benefit of the community and children at large, I officially open the newly upgraded classrooms and the three new classrooms with furniture at Vunimono Islamia Primary School.

Thank You, Vinaka Vakalevu and Dhanyevaad