Two local primary schools are the latest recipients of grant funding worth $607,000 from the government of Japan.

Taelefaga Primary School and Lona Primary School signed the grants with the Ambassador of Japan in Samoa, Maugaoleatuolo Shinya Aoki, yesterday. 

The reconstruction of Taelefaga Primary School will cost $229,000.

The project includes the construction of a canal on the southern side of the school building to collect all the water from the mountainside and let it flow away from the school site. 

The current school building suffers from constant leakage of water from the southern side that rendered four classrooms unusable most of the times throughout the year and had caused a lot of deteriorations to its toilet facilities. In addition, the funds will also carry out necessary renovations and tiling of all 8 classrooms as well as the reconstruction of the toilet facilities.

The Lona Primary School reconstruction will cost $378,000.

The project includes eight new classrooms, a staff room, a library or computer lab and a toilet block for students and teachers.

In his speech, Ambassador acknowledged the importance of proper educational facilities in the learning process within the communities and reaffirmed the commitment and continuous support of the Government of Japan towards improving basic education facilities at grassroots level.

He added that the assistance would further build stronger relationship between Japan and Samoa.

Japan’s “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects” provides assistance to non- governmental organizations, primary schools, hospitals and other non-profit associations that have a direct impact on the well-being of communities.