Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura congratulates Mr. Yoshimi Ando, Director of Aichi Rescue. The ceremony was witnessed by officials from Aichi Rescue and Embassy of Japan. |
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Makoto Katsura and Mr. Yoshimi Ando, Director of Aichi Rescue signed the grant contract for ‘ the Extension Plan for Tumana Elementary School ' at the Embassy of Japan on July 12, 2010. The project, amounting to US$ 49,005 (approximately 2.3 million pesos), is funded through the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects, a small-grant funding program of Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA).
At present, the Tumana Elementary School in Santa Maria , Bulacan has 17 classrooms only, which are not enough to accommodate about 1,000 pre-school and elementary school students. As a result, some of the classes are being conducted in makeshift structures comprised of galvanized-iron roof and wooden walls. Such a setting does not provide the children with an conducive environment for learning. In addition, the next school year is expected to bring in new enrollees resulting in an increase in the student population. Without the construction of a new building, the problem of overcrowding in classrooms will only worsen.
Under the project, a one-story, 3-classroom building will be constructed for the Tumana Elementary School and 150 armchairs will also be provided. The construction of a new school building will address the growing concern over classroom congestion and will provide the students with an improved learning environment.
The Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects started in the Philippines in 2002. Since then, the Japanese Government has disbursed about 260 million Japanese Yen (approximately 130 million pesos) for a total of 22 projects in the Philippines.
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