Despite destructions caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake recently, the Government of Japan continues to uphold its commitment to upgrade basic educational facilities for grassroots people and has very generously donated grant assistance for major capital development projects in schools throughout Fiji. The community of Taveuni Central Sanatan School, Niusawa Methodist Primary School and Vuna District School witnessed the handing-over of the newly constructed classroom facilities funded by the Government of Japan under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) programme.

The Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Japan, Mr. Takeshi Tanabe represented the Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Fiji, H.E. Mr. Yutaka Yoshizawa in the official handing-over ceremony of the new classroom facilities at Taveuni Central Sanatan School at 1.00 pm on 26th May, 2011, Niusawa Methodist Primary School at 9.00 am on 27th May, 2011 and Vuna District School at 2.00 pm on Friday, 27th May, 2011.

Details of each project are as follows:

1) Taveuni Central Sanatan School

Japan provided funding assistance worth F$135,000.00 for construction of two new classrooms to Taveuni Central Sanatan School. The School was established in 1954 and accommodates 364 children from nearby settlement and villages. Cyclone Thomas early last year had completely destroyed the temporary double classroom and more than 45 students were forced to study in one classroom. The new classrooms will allow the school committee to relocate children into permanent classrooms from overcrowded classrooms presently in use and thereby ensuring best of resources for children of this school to excel academically.

2) Project for Upgrading of Niusawa Primary School

The Government of Japan also provided F$169,500.00 for construction of three new classrooms and renovation works at Niusawa Primary School. The School was established in 1927 to provide basic educational facilities for primary education to the children of Taveuni in Cakaudrove Province. Presently, there are 163 children in the school, and, with the damages sustained during the two cyclones early last year, the old wooden building structure was near mishap and declared unsafe to be occupied by Taveuni Rural Local Authority. The three new classrooms will greatly assist the school by replacing the sub-standard deteriorated wooden classrooms and offer best facilities and equal opportunities for the children of Niusawa to achieve academic excellence.

3) The Project for Upgrading of Vuna District School

The Government of Japan provided F$166,500.00 for construction of three new classrooms at Vuna District School. The School was established in 1938 to provide basic educational facilities for primary education to the children of Taveuni in Cakaudrove Province. Presently, there are 225 children in the school, and, with the damages sustained during the two cyclones early last year, the school decided to request for assistance. The three new classrooms will replace the old deteriorated classrooms and will greatly assist the school to offer best facilities and equal opportunities for the children of Vuna to achieve academic excellence.

Japan believes education is the key to socio-economic development and hopes to continue assisting schools in Fiji through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects programme (GGP).