MANYARA: THE government of Japan has supported the construction of classrooms, sanitation facilities and water infrastructure at Orng’adida Primary School in Babati District, Manyara Region, through a project worth more than 269.3m/- aimed at improving the learning environment for pupils.
The support was provided through the Embassy of Japan in Tanzania under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (KUSANONE) programme and implemented by SO THEY CAN Tanzania Organisation.
The project involved the construction of three classrooms, 26 toilet stalls for pupils, three toilet stalls for teachers, handwashing facilities, water infrastructure and the provision of desks and other learning facilities.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Babati Rural, Daniel Sillo, commended the government of Japan for supporting Tanzania’s efforts to improve education infrastructure in the district.
Speaking during the handover ceremony of the project at Orng’adida Primary School in Qash Ward, Mr Sillo said the partnership had contributed significantly to improving learning conditions for children.
“We received funding from the Embassy of Japan, while the SO THEY CAN team effectively supervised the implementation of this project. Continue supporting the government’s efforts in the education, health, water and agriculture sectors for the development of our communities and the nation,” Mr Sillo said.
He said that the government of Japan had provided substantial financial support and stressed the importance of maintaining the newly constructed infrastructure to ensure future generations continue to benefit from the investment.
Mr Sillo also appealed to the organisation to support improvements at the nearby Majengo Primary School, which faces shortages of classrooms, toilets and access to clean and safe water.
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Representative of the Japanese Ambassador to Tanzania, Jin Hashimoto, said the Japanese government hopes that the improved learning facilities will inspire children to work hard and further strengthen the friendship and cooperation between Tanzania and Japan.
SO THEY CAN Executive Director, Roselyne Maliki, said the grant agreement for the project was signed on October 22 last year. She said the project included the construction of three classrooms, 11 toilet stalls for boys, 13 for girls, teachers’ toilets, handwashing facilities, an accessible toilet for persons with disabilities and a changing room for girls.
“The project also involved the construction of two water towers, each supporting a 5,000-litre storage tank, as well as the provision of 60 student desks, tables and chairs,” she said.
Manyara Regional Administrative Secretary, Maryam Muhaji, said the partnership between Tanzania and Japan has produced positive results in education, health, water, agriculture and community development, contributing to improved living standards in the region. She said the newly constructed infrastructure will create a better teaching and learning environment for children.
Muhaji, however, said that Manyara Region continues to face shortages of education infrastructure, forcing some pupils to walk long distances, in some cases up to 30 kilometres, to access education.