Bilateral Relations » Japan's Economic Cooperation between Japan and the Republic of the Fiji Island » Past Assistance Projects to Fiji» Grant Assistance for Gralessroots Human Security Projects (GGP) » Speech

 

Speech for the Handing Over Ceremony of Nasinu Sangam School Project

Speech by Mr. Hiroyuki Orikasa Charge ‘d Affaires, Embassy of Japan, 9.30 a.m. 4th June, 2008
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Good morning to you all,


It is my great pleasure to be here, representing the People and the Government of Japan, in this official handing-over ceremony of a new three classroom complex and an ablution block to Nasinu Sangam School today. I am deeply honoured and express my sincere gratitude for your kind hospitality and the warm welcome accorded to me this morning.

The Embassy of Japan shares a strong relationship with Sangam Organization.  The Ambassador H.E. Mr. Masashi Namekawa officially opened the 2008 Annual TISI Sangam Convention which was held from 21st to 24th March and the Government of Japan has also assisted Sangam Schools in the past.

Primary education is the largest sub-sector of any education system and offers the unique opportunity to contribute to the transformation of societies through education of the young. However, the quality of primary education has not kept abreast of the expansion in enrolments. Thus, the quality of primary education continues to be a global concern.

Education is the key to future economic growth and sustainable development.  It is also an essential element in improving the daily lives of grassroots. Japan is proud to be working in partnership with the schools in Fiji to help this country's children in being better prepared for a productive future. I would like to extend my appreciation to the JICA Senior Volunteer, Mr. Michitake Tokashiki, currently working in the Ministry of Education in Fiji, for guiding this project to success. This grant is a collaboration between GGP Programme and JICA and I hope to see more of such initiatives in future.

As part of its ongoing commitment to support Fiji's educational system, and an example of the extraordinary collaboration between the People of Japan and Fiji, the Government of Japan donated funds for this project.  The donation is part of Japan’s initiative to increases access to quality, basic educational opportunities in Fiji and the region.
Japan, through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Programme, prioritizes its assistance in improving educational facilities for national growth and development, and as such, this project is a testimony of Japan’s initiatives to improve the standard of education of the people of Fiji. It is therefore, my humble request to all stakeholders of this school to ensure maintenance of this complex and the ablution block as an ongoing activity designed to keep the educational delivery and facilities of this school at peak efficiency.
To conclude, this project is the evident manifestation of the strong friendship between the people and governments of Japan and that of the Fiji Islands.

With these few words, I officially declare these new classrooms and the ablution block open to the students of Nasinu.  I urge the students to make use of the new facilities and enhance their learning through the school curriculum.

Thank you.

 

Bilateral Relations » Japan's Economic Cooperation between Japan and the Republic of the Fiji Island » Past Assistance Projects to Fiji» Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)