The Government of Japan held the official handing-over ceremony for the grant of NZ$128,948 for “The Project for the Construction of Multi-Purpose Classroom of Apii Te Uki Ou Primary School”.

The event was held on June 9 in Rarotonga.

The project was signed on March 9, 2021 by the Apii Te Uki Ou Board in Cook Islands and Embassy of Japan respectively due to Covid-19 travel restrictions. The project’s aim was to contribute to improving the learning environment for students and teachers by creating additional learning spaces to meet the demands of the growing number of students, the Embassy of Japan said in a statement.

“This is the second time that Japan has assisted Apii Te Uki Ou through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects programme following the Project for the Reconstruction of Apii Te Uki Ou Primary School which was handed over in 2017.”

Acting principal of Apii Te Uki Ou, Kim Noovao expressed their gratitude to the people of Japan, saying: “We have been so lucky to have this amazing building built for us. And after two years of officially opening our building in 2021, we can now say a proper thank you to the people of Japan.”

“This grassroots fund not only helps our school but also helps our neighbouring schools and the Creative Centre. All of these projects help us deliver the best education we can.”

First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, Tetsumi Takahashi extended his congratulations on the successful completion of the project and said that the reconstructed school building and the multi-purpose classroom “are symbols of our continued friendship and bilateral cooperation. Just as these wonderful buildings endure, so too will our friendship”.