The Government of Japan reaffirmed its continuous commitment towards improving
learning environment across Samoa.
The Signing Ceremony to formalise an approved grant project for Saipipi Primary School
was held earlier today (6 January) at the Embassy in Apia, between Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Samoa, H.E. Mr. TERASAWA Genichi
and President of Saipipi Primary School Committee, Tofa Peniamina.
The School Committee received a grant of up to USD 129,686 (approximately SAT
333,000) provided under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security
Projects (GGP).
The school’s current school building is more than fifteen years old and is deteriorating
due to its age and exposure to numerous natural disasters such as cyclones.
Japan provides small and flexible grants to support development projects at the grassroots
level through its GGP in line with the areas that of high priority in Samoa’s Strategy for
Development (SDS) which includes education.
It is expected that the GGP can enable a reconstruction of a new school building that
house eight classrooms, a library and a staff room.
The GGP Programme in Samoa has been widely implemented in areas such as education,
water supply and health since 1991. To date, more than 190 projects have been
implemented under the GGP Programme which amount to an approximate value
exceeding USD 1.6 million (approximately SAT 4 million).