Two schools in the country have received assistance from the Japanese Government through the Grassroots & Human Security Project Grant, facilitated by the Japan Embassy in Honiara.
The schools are Arnon Atomea Primary and Illia Primary Early Childhood Centre.
Arnon Atomea is a school located in the heart of North Malaita and Illia is in the suburbs of Honiara at Kobito area, East Honiara.
Speaking before the signing of the contract by the Ambassador of Japan Kenichi Kimiya and the school reps, said the assistance is purposely to help both schools to build classrooms.
He revealed that SBD$690,000 is donated to Arnon Atomea Primary and SBD$440,000 for Ilia Primary School Early Childhood Centre.
Japanese Ambassador reiterated that one of the priority areas of their assistance under the Grassroots and Human Security Scheme in Solomon Islands is supporting basic education through the construction of school facilities such as classrooms for students.
“Education plays key role in development. We believe that this project will have positive impacts on the development of human resources in Solomon Islands,” says Kimiya.
“On behalf of the Government of Japan, I would like to take this opportunity to say that we are very pleased to contribute to the development for the people of Solomon Islands. I would also like to emphasize that today is just the beginning day for you to start implementing this project properly, while keeping in your mind that this is a present from the Japanese taxpayers,” remarked Ambassador Kimiya.
He congratulate the recipients of the project, and wish to see the successful completion of the project in the near future, adding this will resulted in composing cordial relationship between Japan and Solomon Islands.
Meanwhile, School Head Teacher of Arnon Atomea Primary, Mr. Lensley Kwaimani thanked the Japanese Government for enabling the school to be eligible to receive the project amongst the many other applicants that were unfortunate to receive the project.
“On behalf of the school committee, staff, students, parents, guardians and communities of Arnon Atomea Primary School, do hereby stand to express how grateful we are to have received such an enormous support,” said Kwaimani.
“I would like to dedicate this achievement to my fallen comrades in the recent and distant history of the school. Your tireless effort in the upbringing of the children of North Malait in education from one generation to another will be upheld by the present and future generation. This is evident with this present Japanese Grassroots and Human Security Program Support,” he said.
By AATAI JOHN LAUNGI
