The embassy, through the Japanese government’s Grassroots Human Security Project, is providing a grant of approximately $9. 4 million for major renovation at the rural school. The grant will be used to carry out major renovation including fencing, partitions for classrooms, termite treatment, minor roof repairs, upgrade to sanitary facilities, paving of the schoolyard and electrical upgrades.

Japanese Ambassador to Jamaica Masanori Nakano said under the country’s assistance policy, Japan has been assisting Jamaica and its other partners in the empowerment of people through education and life-long learning opportunities.

“As we all know, a good education is rooted in the classroom, the home and the community. A good education requires not just a strong curriculum, but dedicated and professional teachers, students who are motivated to learn, in addition to parents and communities that support and value education. We also need adequate resources and facilities,” he said.

Ambassador Nakano said he looked forward to returning to the school in six months to officially hand over the renovated property.

In the meantime, several stakeholders who attended the contract signing expressed appreciation for the help. Among those expressing their appreciation were Education Minister Reverend Ronald Thwaites and member of parliament for St Ann South East Lisa Hanna.

“We can’t easily find the money to do perimeter fencing and to pave the schoolyard,” Rev Thwaites said, adding that it is good when there are partnerships to help address some of the areas his ministry faces a challenge in remedying.

Breadnut Hill Primary was chosen from a list of schools in need of critical repair presented by the National Education Trust (NET) to the Japan Embassy. The NET will oversee the procurement and construction management for the project which is slated to commence in 2016.