Monday 6th February 2006, St. George’s :

A formal collective signing ceremony took place today between His Excellency Mr. Shigenobu Kato, Ambassador of Japan, and the respective principals of four secondary schools, in the presence of the Honourable Clarice Charles, Minister of Education and Labour. The ceremony also included the handing over of the relevant cheques to the school principals, and completes the third phase of assistance granted by the Japanese Government to secondary schools throughout Grenada.

This current set of four schools, namely Presentation Brothers’ College, Anglican High School, Boca Secondary School, and Grenada Boys’ Secondary School, was approved to receive such assistance under the Japanese Government scheme, Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects.

The sum of Two Hundred and Sixty Eight Thousand Two Hundred and Seventy Four US Dollars (US$268,274.00) was willingly met by the Government of Japan to assist in the reconstruction of classrooms and other school facilities which were damaged by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004.

Last year, the Government of Japan granted the sum of Nine Hundred and Forty Eight Thousand Three Hundred and Sixty Seven US Dollars (US$948,367.00) to the principals of twelve other affected schools under the same aid programme.

(Please see supplemental information below).

The Government of Japan said it is pleased to be a part of this venture in support of human security needs such as education, and applauded the continued efforts of the various school principals in successfully meeting the needs of the pupils under their care. The Government of Japan welcomed the opportunity to engage in future human security projects in support of the Government and people of Grenada, and with a view to developing stronger relations and understanding between the two island nations.