The Japanese Government is providing funding support valued at US80,679 (SBD665,000) to Ghaobata Primary School in North Guadalcanal to build a new classroom complex.
A signing ceremony was held on Friday at the Japanese Embassy in Honiara between the Keiichi Higuchi – Japanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands and Ms Emillian Papasa, Head of the Ghaobata Primary School.
According to the Embassy of Japan, the project will cater for the ‘Construction of classroom Building for Ghaobata Primary School.’
The signing ceremony was also witnessed by Dr Paul Popora Bosawai the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Guadalcanal who is also the Minister of Health and Medical Services, school staff, school Board members, community leaders and North Guadalcanal Constituency Office.
Speaking prior to the signing ceremony Ambassador Higuchi said, the assistance will provide access to proper educational environment for people in Ghaobata Primary School.
The assistance comes under the Grassroots and Human Security Scheme
The Japanese Government is pleased to support basic education in Solomon Islands, he said.
“Education plays a key role in the development of the society and the country.
“Education gives a great deal of support and encouragement to each and every individual.
“Education opens doors to bright future for children. Solomon Islands is still a young country with a lot of children with many dreams.
“We believe that this project will have positive impacts on the socio-economic development of Solomon Islands,” the Japanese Envoy said.
Ms Papasa head of the primary school in her remarks acknowledged the Japanese Government for the timely assistance.
She said, the grant signing marked a major milestone for the school to expand its infrastructure and better offer education service in that region.
She said, its been a struggle for many young children to access better education.
“It had been a long struggle for the School Board and management to secure help to build a new classroom.
“So thank for you to the Japanese government for fulfilling our dream.
“You are a beacon of hope for our children and the school in ensuring a new classroom will be constructed,” she said.
MP Bosawai also took the time to thank the Japanese government to ensuring Ghaobata primary school had been captured in the project.
He said, the project will provide better access for the children in the region to quality education.
The MP also appealed to all community members to help support the project for the benefit of the children in that region.
Ghaobata primary has a total of six staff looking after 212 registered students from grade one to six.
Construction work is expected to commence soon.
