Overview:
New School Buses from Japan Boost Student Attendance in Palau
KOROR, Palau — Two new 15-seat school buses, provided by the Embassy of Japan through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP) program, are transforming daily life for students at Ngaraard Elementary School. The buses now make it easier for children from remote villages to attend classes consistently, reducing absenteeism and opening doors to extracurricular activities.
By: Laurel Marewibuel
KOROR Palau — “The two 15-seat school buses provided through the GGP program have greatly improved access to education for students who live far from the school,” Embassy of Japan GGP Coordinator said during a recent follow-up visit to Ngaraard Elementary School.
The coordinator met with Principal Daisy Ulitch, school bus driver Hosea Swei and school driver Barren Mobel at the rural campus to check on “The Project for School Bus Procurement for Ngaraard Elementary School.” The visit highlighted the buses’ role in bridging isolation for far-flung students in this Pacific island state.
Asked about the GGP program’s long-term vision, the coordinator emphasized reliability’s ripple effect. “Ensuring reliable and safe transportation helps students attend school consistently, thereby reducing absenteeism, and supporting their participation not only in regular classes, but also in extracurricular activities,” she said. “Overall, the GGP aims to contribute to improving students’ learning environment and educational opportunities, while fostering community engagement over the long term.”
Implementation sailed smoothly, the coordinator noted. “We did not encounter any significant challenges, as the Ministry of Education and the stakeholders of Ngaraard Elementary School were highly cooperative throughout the process,” she said.
Sustainability remains key. “To ensure that the provided equipment is well-maintained, the Embassy conducts follow-ups in the second and fifth years after the program completion,” the coordinator explained. “We also continue to conduct regular inspections after the fifth year so that GGP-provided equipment will benefit the community over time.”