The Aana No. 1 College opened a new school hall on Thursday in a project valued at over $500,000 tala funded by the Government of Japan.

The project was funded under the Embassy of Japan's Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects with the cost totalling $547,585 tala.

The project includes the school hall that also houses a kitchen, office, storage space and a toilet block.

In a speech on Thursday to mark the occasion, the Minister of Education Sports and Culture, Seuula Ioane thanked Japan on behalf of the Government of Samoa for their continuous support.

"It gives me great pleasure to acknowledge Japan's support for the education sector in Samoa," Seuula said.

Japan's Ambassador to Samoa Senta Keisuke said he was  pleased to witness the successful completion of this project culminating with Thursday's official opening. 

"This project was funded through a grant provided under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects," Mr Keisuke said.

"Education is needless to say, one of the important sectors for the socio-economic development of this country and Japan has been assisting this sector, through reconstructing and upgrading school facilities and dispatching experts, particularly in the fields of science and mathematics.

 "On the other hand, we believe it is also important for all children to have the same access to education. Through that, I am confident that this project can enable your school to continue your school activities."

Mr Keisuke said Japan has been supporting development efforts by communities of Samoa in the fields of basic human needs such as healthcare and education and approved a total of 210 projects since 1991.

"Today, I am delighted to see the completion of this beautiful hall and I would like to express my gratitude to the School Committee and this whole community for your cooperation," he said. "Without your enthusiasm and efforts this project would not have been achieved so successfully."

Mr Keisuke also presented gifts to the the school which he hopes would be kept in the library and indicated that they were books written by his former teacher.

"These are picture books written and drawn by my former teacher who taught my class when I was 12 years old. My teacher, Ms. Hiroko Hitaka, kindly sent me the books and asked me to share them with Samoan students," he said.

"Four of these books are bilingual books written in Japanese and English, and two are in Japanese.  Although these books are intended for younger pupils than you, please enjoy looking at the pictures and reading English texts.  

"If you are interested in strange characters in these books, you may wish to start studying Japanese language. We are always happy to assist you. I hope you like the books."

The President of the Aana No. 1 School Committee Afamasaga Rico Tupai said that the students of the school come from five constituencies of Aana.

"More than 10 villages and I stand on behalf of everyone your excellency to convey our sincere gratitude [...] thank you very much to the Government and people of Japan [...] for enabling this work to come to fruition," Afamasaga said.

He had also given thanks to the Government of Samoa for their support.

Afamasaga explained that the project coincide with the encouragement and initiation of Technical and Vocational education Training (T.V.E.T.) programmes.

"I am happy, glad, and very proud of our teachers and school that they now host the food textile technology, agriculture science, [...] physical education and along with other vocational programmes that are coming in," he said.

"We hope not only to tile this place, look for machinery for the hosting of carpentry and proper plumbing programmes for vocational skills, but we also are hopeful that down below that the Soccer Federation will build two national fields down here to encourage physical education for this side of the island."

Afamasaga added that in these times of uncertainty there is a need to come closer together as a community and prioritise safety. 

He also explained that with data showing a high percentage of criminals at Tanumalala Prison from Aana, he hopes the projects will change the mindset of people to move away from criminal activities and into education and employment.