The Government of Japan and the ‘Apifo’ou College Parents and Teachers’ Association celebrated the commissioning of the Project for Upgrading of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training facility for the College.
The project was funded through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects, GGP.
Mr. Yukio Numata, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Tonga attended the commissioning ceremony along with His Eminence, Cardinal Mafi late last week.
Present also at the ceremony were Mr. Tatafu Moeaki, CEO of the Ministry of Finance and National Planning and Mr. Soane Vahe, Director of Catholic Education and members of the Parents and Teachers’ Association for ‘Apifo’ou College.
Mr. Numata in his keynote address congratulating the completion of the Project emphasized that this project was aimed to help reduce the high drop-out rates in secondary education levels of Tonga, one of the causes being said to be the shortage in the learning opportunities of employment-related skills.
“I am confident that with this new TVET facility, young people will have a wider range of opportunities to choose from for their future, and then aspire to become responsible citizens of Tonga,” stated the Ambassador.
In blessing the newly constructed TVET facility, Cardinal Mafi acknowledged the assistance from the people and the Government of Japan to enhance the technical and vocational knowledge of students of Apifo’ou College.
The Apifo’ou College Parent’s and Teacher’s Association sought Japan’s assistance in 2015, providing necessary resources to facilitate the talents of over 50 TVET students.
Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects was introduced in 1989, and over 50 percent of the GGP in Tonga are implemented in the field of Education.
Japan's assistance epitomizes commitment to support efforts by the People and the Government of Tonga to ensure Human Security, and also hope to strengthen the warm and close relations between the people and the Government of Japan and the people of the Kingdom of Tonga.