June 15, 2005
 Japanese Assistance for Construction of Saraswati Primary School in Palpa
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The Embassy of Japan has decided to extend a grant of sixty-eight thousand, two hundred and eighty-eight US Dollars (US$68,288), equivalent to four million, eight hundred and four thousand, seven hundred and forty-four Nepalese Rupees (NRs. 4,804,744) to Masyam Village Development Committee for the implementation of the Project for Construction of Saraswati Primary School Building in Masyam VDC, Palpa District. This takes place in Japan's fiscal year 2005 under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme of the Government of Japan.
The grant contract was signed and exchanged today between His Excellency Mr. Tsutomu Hiraoka, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, and Mr. Dam Bahadur Karki, Secretary of Masyam Village Development Committee, Palpa District.
The grant will be utilized for the construction of a two and a half storey school building consisting of 10 rooms and a separate toilet building. The grant will also cover the procurement of furniture for the classrooms, library and school office.
It is to be noted that the Government of Japan provided grant aid to His Majesty's Government of Nepal for construction of a total of 5,498 classrooms in 25 districts under the Basic and Primary Education Program, BPEP I (FY 1994 - 1997) and BPEP II (1999 - 2001). In addition, since FY 2003, Japan has been supporting the construction of primary schools in support of "Education for All by 2015" set by His Majesty's Government of Nepal, to enable improved access for primary students and to enable an increased quality of basic and primary education in 15 districts.
The above-mentioned programs do not cover Palpa District; thus the efforts of Masyam VCD and Saraswati Primary School to enhance the basic and primary education will be supported by the GGP scheme of the Government of Japan.
Out of the total project cost of NRs. 6,412,122, Masyam VDC, the school and the community will contribute up to 25 percent of the cost; which includes locally available material required for construction and unskilled labor costs etc. Similarly, the procurement of reference and text books for the library, the construction of a water tank and partial cost of toilet construction among others, will also be borne by the VDC, school and local community.
Speaking at the ceremony, H.E. Hiraoka stressed the need to promote education for the economic and social development of Nepal. Furthermore, he expressed his belief that Saraswati Primary School, with an improved learning environment and with easy access now accorded to the students, villagers and other people in the region, will be able to create awareness on the benefits of education. Additionally, H.E. Hiraoka expressed his hope that the number of educated people in the village and region will increase and the school becomes a platform and resource center for various activities within the region.
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