Students of Gataivai Primary School and its community in Savai’i will be safer at their location where the Government of Japan have funded the construction of new school facilities.
The grant allowed the Gataivai Primary School Committee to fund a new school building with eight classrooms, a staff room, principal’s office and library.
The School Committee requested the relocation in an effort to provide a safer environment, away from river flooding which had constantly affected the school’s former location for many years.
The assistance of US$159,751 – approximately ST$410,800 from the Government of Japan was timely for the Savaii based school and community.
A handover ceremony to successfully complete the project was held earlier today (28 July) at the school compound, which was attended by His Excellency Mr. SENTA Keisuke, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Samoa, Hon. Leota Laki Lamositele Sio, Minister of Women, Community and Social Development and Member of Parliament for Palauli II constituency, Hon. Seuula Ioane, Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, representatives from the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture, parents, teachers and students.
The project comes under Japan’s ongoing scheme of Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP).
Japan is committed to prioritise the development of education in Samoa, by improving and upgrading the facilities of many village schools across Samoa at grass-roots level.
The GGP aims to support small-scale projects directly benefitting the grassroots level, as well as contributing to the socio-economic development of Samoa.
“It is hoped that this assistance will help further strengthen the friendly ties between the Governments and the people of Japan and Samoa.”
