Special needs students who are studying in the Inclusive Education Program at the Ngele'ia Government Primary School celebrated on October 10 the handover of their new classroom building, upgraded by the Government of Japan.

The TOP$198,976 project funded under Japan's Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects, included the extension and renovation of one classroom building for 21 students with disability. There were also new toilet facilities, one for the students with disability, and another for the rest of GPS Ngele’ia Primary School. There are more than 400 students at the Ngele'ia Primary School.

The Japanese Ambassador HE Dr Kazuchika Hamuro said no one should be excluded from the process of development in order to achieve a just, and equitable society.

He said the process of development should be inclusive and education is a must have tool for anyone to meet their aspirations in life. Japan is currently implementing technical cooperation through the Asian Development Bank to provide for social protection to the vulnerable in Tonga and a project to refurbish one of the facilities for the handicapped is soon to be completed, he said.

Inclusive

Tonga’s Minister for Education and Training Hon Dr ‘Ana Taufe’ulungaki was grateful to Japan for providing a quality facility that allows students to grow.

She recalled in 201, during the celebration of the Ngele'ia Primary School's 50^th anniversary, the Japanese Ambassador saw the need to upgrade the classroom facility, provide a safe playground area and upgrade toilet facilities, accessible also to students with disability. 

"Japan has been a generous donor and development partner for Tonga for many years and education is a main beneficiary of its assistance as our schools have continued to benefit from Japan's GGP grants."

She said that the new Education Bill that is now before parliament, the Ministry of Education has the responsibility to ensure that children with special needs are fully accommodated for within the formal education system, and an inclusive education policy has been drafted and is now being finalized.

In the same bill compulsory education proposed to be extended with the inclusive of age 4-18, and children with special needs in this same age group have the same entitlement to quality education as other children, said the Minister.

Members of the Parents Teachers Association and happy students despite the rain today attended the event at the school compound.