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» Japan Provides New Facilities to Two (2) Schools in the Kingdom of Tonga

The Government of Japan continues to provide development assistance to the education sector, which benefits educational institutions in the Kingdom of Tonga. Two (2) schools will celebrate the opening of new building facilities. These projects were funded under Japan's Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) programme.

The JICA Resident Representative in Tonga, Mr. Mitsuo Inagaki, will be representing the Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Mr. Masashi Namekawa at the two (2) schools in Tongatapu Island to officially open the new facilities.

Details and its handing over ceremony schedules of the projects are as follows:

• The Project for Upgrading of Malapo Government Primary School
  This project was funded through a GGP grant of US$11,668.00 (approx. T$20,900.00) to cover for the building materials and construction costs of four (4) toilet units. This project is expected to benefit around seventy (70) students from the local area. The handing over ceremony will be held at Malapo Government Primary School in Tongatapu on Friday, 07th October 2005 at 10.00 a.m.



• The Project for Upgrading of Popua Government Primary School
  This project was funded through a GGP grant of US$73,472.00 (approx. T$131,600.00) to cover for the building materials and construction costs of four (4) classroom block, eight (8) toilet units and one (1) 5000 gallon water tank. This project is expected to benefit around three hundred (300) students from the local area. The handing over ceremony will be held at Popua Government Primary School in Tongatapu on Friday, 07th October 2005 at 02.00 p.m.

The long term objective of these projects is to ensure that the schools provide quality education and improved health and sanitation to the students.

Japan's assistance to these projects indicates its commitment to contribute to the improvement of the living standards and welfare of people in the Kingdom of Tonga and is in line with its Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy of promoting development at the grassroots level. The GGP programme is specifically designed to address basic human needs, which include water supply, health, basic education, vocational training, sanitary environment and rural infrastructure. It is hoped that this assistance will help further strengthen the friendly ties between the governments and the people of Kingdom of Tonga and Japan.