Official: Proper classrooms encourage learning

SCHOOLS with proper classrooms and good facilities encourage learning, a Japanese representative says.
“I believe it is a basic right for each child to receive primary education and proper institution facilities encourage many students to attend,” deputy chief of the Japanese Embassy in Port Moresby, Hiroshi Nawatta, said.
He said during the opening of a three-in-one building at the Tatana Elementary School in the National Capital District.
The building was funded by Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme at a cost of K270,000.
The fund was provided to alleviate to create more classroom space.
The new classroom will be used by 289 students and seven teachers.
Nawatta said the GGP was empowering people through improved education and life skills and enhancing the level of service delivery and basic infrastructure.
“Education is not only a vital tool to acquire knowledge and skills but it is also an investment for future development,” he said.
“That is the aim of your government and we are supporting that.
“Through this project, the government of Japan is pleased to support the PNG Government’s efforts to improve the education sector.”
Nawatta said the classroom was a gift from the government and people of Japan.
He urged the children and people to look after the facilities so that it would not only benefit students now but many more who were going to attend the school.
“This project will contribute towards strengthening the friendship between the people of Japan and PNG and will also contribute towards fostering a strategic partnership between the two countries.”
Nawatta said March marked the opening of 299 grassroots projects funded by GGP and implemented through non-governmental organisations, local level governments and other not-for-profit organisations, including hospitals and schools.
All these amount to about K50.5 million, he said.