Education is not only a vital tool to acquire knowledge and skills but also an investment for future development.
First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, Satoshi Isono, expressed this during the opening of ‘The Project for Expansion of Kinjibi Primary School’ in Western Highlands Province.
In January 2018, the Embassy extended a grant worth K212,891 (approximately US$68,234) to Kinjibi Primary School for the construction of two double classrooms to alleviate an acute shortage of classrooms. This was funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme.
Speaking at the event, Isono said: “I firmly believe that it is a basic right for every child to receive primary education, and that the proper infrastructure encourages more children to attend school.
“Through this project, the government of Japan is pleased to support the PNG Government’s efforts to improve the education sector.
“These classrooms are gifts from the government and people of Japan. Please look after these classrooms well, so that they will not only benefit students now but many more who will attend this school in the future.
“Finally, I sincerely hope that this project will contribute towards strengthening the friendship between the people of Japan and the Western Highlands of PNG and will also contribute towards fostering a partnership between the two countries.”
Japan considers education as essential to PNG’s human resources development and is pleased to complement the PNG Government’s Tuition Fee Free (TFF) Policy by funding basic educational infrastructure projects in primary and elementary schools across the country. It is envisaged that in providing essential infrastructure to schools, greater opportunities for widespread education and human resource development will ensue.
GGP is contributing towards “empowering the people through improved education and life skills and enhancing the level of service delivery and basic infrastructure”, targeted by Papua New Guinea’s Vision 2050.
As of August 2019, 299 grassroots projects funded by GGP have been implemented by NGOs, local level governments and other non-profit organisations, including hospitals and schools, which amount to approximately K50.5 million (US$18.8 million).