The Salani Primary School has upgraded its educational facilities, thanks to funding courtesy of the Embassy of Japan's grant assistance for Grass Roots Human Security Project.

The handover ceremony of the new school facilities was held on Thursday and attended by Japan's Ambassador to Samoa, Genichi Terasawa and the Minister of Education Sports and Culture, Seuula Ioane as well as Ministry representatives, parents, the school committee members, the principal and staff and students.

Giving a speech at the handover ceremony on Thursday, Ambassador Terasawa said that there is something more important than school facilities and that is education.

"I believe it is quality education. Quality education is provided by quality teachers. The Ministry of Education Sports and Culture is always making great efforts to enhance the knowledge and skills of teachers through training programs," Ambassador Terasawa said on Thursday.

The diplomat said in his remarks that he has requested that teachers' passion and commitment to education be prioritised and further enhanced through material and spiritual support. 

The school's buildings were more than 30 years old and begun to deteriorate due to age and natural disasters before the renovation programme was undertaken.

According to a statement issued by the Embassy, the School Committee received a grant of up to USD$149,494 (approximately SAT$374,109) last December to enable the start of refurbishment works to an existing school building as well as the construction of a new toilet block.

"The Government of Japan recognises the importance of grass-roots development projects that can directly benefit local populations, therefore its G.G.P aims to help improve basic human needs through projects that are practical at the grass-roots level such as construction and expansion of school buildings, restoration of village water systems etc," the statement reads.