“Primary Education provides important first step for children’s growth” Japan’s GGP handover for Upgrading Fua’amotu Government Primary School

2020/6/12
Mr. KAMADA Yasuhiko, Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission of the Japanese Embassy with Dr. Tangikina Moimoi Steen, CEO for Ministry of Education at the handover of the upgraded classrooms for Fua’amotu Government Primary School on Thursday, 11 June 2020
The Embassy of Japan and Government Primary School of Fua’amotu celebrated the completion of an upgrade work to a classroom building funded through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Human Security Project, or GGP on Thursday, 11 June 2020. Mr. KAMADA Yasuhiko, Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Japan in Nuku’alofa handed over the facility to Dr. Tangikina Moimoi Steen, CEO for Ministry of Education and Training.

Present also at the handover were Mr. Telefoni Laume, Town Office/ PTA Chairperson, Chief Education Officers of the Ministry of Education and Training, a representative from the Ministry of Finance, Principal, Teachers, students and the community of Fua’amotu.

Mr. KAMADA congratulated the combined efforts in completion of the project despite the current situation caused by COVID-19.  He gave emphasis to the importance of primary education for children’s growth, and encouraged young students of the GPS Fua’amotu to acquire their knowledge to become capable individuals.  

Dr. Tangikina Moimoi Steen acknowledged the assistance by the Government of Japan. “I extend mutual respect for the spirit of sharing, the relationship that we have solidly built and maintain together, and acknowledging the generous contributions you have made in many forms to build our schools and the social welfare of our communities in Tonga,” she said. 

The Parents and Teachers Association of the GPS Fua’amotu sought for Japan’s assistance prioritizing a much safer educational environment, for their current 195 students. The assistance from Japan financed the renovation work to a deteriorating classroom building (3 classrooms), and the construction of a 360m fence, securing the facilities of the school.
 
Japan’s GGP has now benefited almost 300 projects in the Kingdom of Tonga, since it was introduced in 1990.