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JAPANESE REBUILD LEFAGA SECONDARY SCHOOL |
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Press Release: Embassy of Japan |
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The Government of Japan has
handed over a newly built school building for Lefaga Secondary School
costing $104,018 Australian dollars or $215,136 Samoan tala.
The School Committee of Lefaga Secondary School in November 2001 sought
assistance from Japan which was granted through the “Project for
Reconstruction of Lefaga Secondary School” funded under the Grassroots
Human Security Grant Aid Programme FY 2003. The Government of Samoa has
been improving education facilities as part of its key strategic
outcomes in “Improved Education Standards” as stated in the “Statement
of Economic Strategy 2002-2004”. Subsequently the completion of this
Project will also help to contribute towards the national development
framework of Samoa.
Mr Masahiko Hayashi of the Embassy of Japan in Wellington, New Zealand
made the presentation on behalf of the Government of Japan with Prime
Minister Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi giving the keynote address.
The Lefaga and Faleaseela Member of Parliament and Leader of Opposition
Le Mamea Ropati also addressed the gathering. The Chief Executive
Officer of Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture, Levaopolo Tupae
Esera, cut the ribbon to officially open the school building. The
prayer service was led by Father Nimo Pilimai, Catholic of Lefaga and
Faleaseela, assisted by Elder Reverend Minister Poka Maua, CCCS of
Lefaga and Faleaseela.
Cyclones OFA and VAL in the early 1990s severely damaged and leveled
the former two storey building into a single level building and used in
recent years despite its deteriorating structural condition. This
building was leveled and rebuilt, through JICA’s standardised school
building plans, into a single level “L” shaped 10 room building with a
library and staffroom as well as a separate lavatory block and 5,000
gallon water tank.
The Lefaga district through its secondary school committee provided as
counterpart contribution the builder and assisting workers, sand, rocks
and other assistance to the construction works.
In 2003, Japan hosted the 3rd Japan-Pacific Islands Forum Summit
meeting in Okinawa, during which it stressed, through the “Joint Action
Plan” initiatives, with members of the Pacific Islands Forum, for
working together towards the improvement of education through the
rebuilding of school |
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Samoa Prime Minister, Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi with the
keynote address at the opening of the new school building for
the Lefaga and Faleaseela Secondary School constructed by Japan.
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School children of Lefaga and Faleaseela celebrating in front of
their new school building, which also has a new 5,000 gallon
ferro cement water tank and lavatory block built by Japan as
part of the project. |
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The new “L” shaped 10 room secondary school building for Lefaga
and Faleaseela district built by Japan. The old two storey
building was previously damaged by cyclones in the early 1990s. |
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infrastructure.
8th October 2004 marked 50 years of Japan’s participation in the Colombo Plan,
which was the beginning of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) to
countries around the world. The day had been designated as “International
Cooperation Day” in order to increase awareness amongst the Japanese people of
their country’s international cooperation role. Japan is subsequently assessing
its current efforts so far and considering the future global role of its ODA, in
promoting the economic and social development of developing countries.
The Government of Japan extends its best wishes to the School Committee of
Lefaga Secondary School and hopes the new school building will contribute to
improving education standards for all students. The Japanese Government would
like to continue as much support as possible until all Samoan students can enjoy
learning in an environment that helps to promote better educational standards.
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Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd.
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