Japan Renovates School in Northern India

   Agra, India, April 15 (Jiji Press)--An inauguration ceremony was held in the northern India city of Agra on Tuesday to mark the reopening of a public school whose building has been renovated by a Japanese prefecture and nonprofit organization.
   The prefectural government of Kumamoto and the Association for Rengein Tanjoji International Cooperation, an NPO based in the southwestern Japan prefecture, conducted the renovation program using grant aid for developing countries from Japan's Foreign Ministry. The program cost about 62.9 million yen.
   The school is located in the Kalwari district, one of the poorest areas of Agra, known for World Heritage site the Taj Mahal. The literacy rate in the district is low, and many residents belong to lower castes or historically marginalized groups.
   The school is for about 350 children up to junior high school students. Before the renovation, it had a limited number of toilets, which hindered attendance, particularly among female students. The renovation work began in March last year, increasing the number of toilets and adding water purification facilities. Students can now use personal computers in the school.
   "Poverty is the root of all evil," Juko Ito, a 73-year-old member of the Japanese NPO, said. "I hope (the students) will learn PC and English skills here and that we can change a vicious circle to a virtuous circle."

(2025/04/16-17:54)