The village of Fusi, Safata held a school opening program on Friday to officially commission newly renovated school facilities at the Fusi Primary School. 

The school renovation project was funded by the Government of Japan that has been providing assistance in developing the educational facilities throughout Samoa since 1991.

The renovation was funded under Japan Embassy's grant assistance for grass-roots human security projects (GGP) with the official handover ceremony of the project on Friday morning.

Japan's Ambassador to Samoa, Senta Keisuke and Samoa's Minister of Education Sports and Culture, Seuula Ioane joined guests, parents, teachers and students to see the official handing over of the renovated facilities.

Addressing the occasion on Friday morning, the Ambassador said he witnessed the completion of the project and it symbolises the importance of education as a sector.

"Ladies and gentlemen, education is one of the important sectors of the socio-economic development of this country and that is why this grant is for assisting this sector in constructing and upgrading school facilities," Mr Senta said.

The diplomat then proceeded to hand over to the school a personal gift of his, which were reading books that were written by his old primary school teacher in Japan, while encouraging the students to develop interest in the Japanese language .

The project funding amounted to USD$84,347 (SAT$216,663.24) which was used to renovate the school building of nine classrooms, an administration room, an ablution block, a school library and drinking water facilities.

A statement issued by the Embassy of Japan stated that the main objective is to provide an improved educational environment for the children, which allows for quality education that aligns with the 5-year national plan of the government of Samoa, the Pathway for Development of Samoa.

Mr. Ioane then expressed his thanks and gratitude in his speech to the Ambassador of Japan for their long partnership with Samoa. 

"I have not once but countless times spoken of words of thanks to your excellency Mr. Senta Keisuke and the Government and people of Japan on behalf of the people and the Government of Samoa.

"However this does not diminish our utmost gratitude from our people to your great generosity in insuring Samoa will have well educated people to realise our dream of having a brighter future."