Nippon Express Co., Ltd. (Kenji Watanabe, President), has recently financed the construction of a monastic school in Yangon, Myanmar.
Dhamma Dipa Monastic Education School, constructed in Yangon in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Myanmar, was opened on March 9, and the 293m2 four-classroom school now has an enrollment of 275 students. The construction was entirely funded by a donation from Nippon Express, and the monastic school is operated with authorization from Myanmar's Ministry of Religious Affairs and Ministry of Education by the abbot/monks of a local monastery and volunteers.
Myanmar offers free public primary school education, but the lack of school lunches and the costs of desks and school uniforms leave many children financially unable to attend public schools. Public schools have thus been supplemented by free monastic schools run by monasteries and volunteers recognized by the government as legitimate educational institutions. Children who graduate from monastic schools may, just like their counterparts in public primary schools, continue their studies in public secondary schools. Nippon Express recently decided to assist in the construction of a monastic school to allow numerous local children the opportunity to receive an education.
By supporting school education, Nippon Express earnestly hopes to contribute to the development of Myanmar's human resources and economy.
