The village of Lepa has secured a first for Samoa this year.

Its Primary School has become the first recipient of grant funding from Japan to construct a new school building consisting of eight new classrooms, a staff room and a library/computer room.

The funding totaling $339,000 comes under Japan’s ongoing Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (G.G.P.).

The paper work was signed on Tuesday afternoon at the Office of the Prime Minister between Ambassador Maugaoleatuolo Shinya Aoki and President of Lepa Primary School committee, Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi.

According to a statement, Lepa’s current school building is over 40 years old and has undergone renovations every three to five years over the last 20 years.

But it has deteriorated due to its age and cyclones of past years hence; the school committee sought assistance from Japan in 2017.

“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.”

“A total of 200 students are expected to directly benefit from the reconstruction project of Lepa Primary School and the Government of Japan hopes that the reconstruction project will not only provide a much safer and healthier learning environment but also endows the students with a renewed sense of pride and enthusiasm for learning.”

“Japan has continuously assisted its friendly Pacific neighbour, Samoa and the reconstruction project of Lepa Primary School is an added milestone in Japan’s ongoing support and cooperation towards Samoa.”