A new upgraded classroom building for Tupou College’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training facility (TVET) was handed over today, Wednesday 7 October from the Government of Japan.

Funded with $186,187 pa'anga under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects, the 350sq metre building has four classrooms each for automotive, carpentry, plumbing and electricity.

Japan’s Ambassador HE Dr Yukio Numata said the facility is a symbol of their recognition that education is a basic building block for creating progressive and equitable nations.

He said since 2008, the average rate of Tonga’s secondary school drop-outs is around 1000 per year.

“Together, Tupou College and Japan are giving school drop-outs another chance to re-explore their talents and not misuse potentials.“

He said in developed countries, TVET programs are opening doors and pathways for young people to equip themselves with practical skills for entrepreneurship, management, production and technological development, which are useful to entering the national workforce.

The Acting Minister of Finance and National Planning Hon Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa thanked Japan for it's ongoing assistance to the development of Tonga.

This project contributes to the Social Institution to Improved Education and Training, one of the pillar objectives from the Tonga National Strategic Development Framework II to provide lifetime learning and a more reliable, safe and affordable builings, he said.