Nghe An speeds up construction of boarding schools in border communes

The meeting was attended by representatives of relevant departments and agencies, leaders of border communes and construction contractors.

According to the provincial Department of Education and Training, projects to build inter-level ethnic minority boarding schools in Nghe An’s border communes under the Politburo’s Conclusion No. 81 have received strong and coordinated direction from the provincial Party Committee and People’s Committee. Thanks to efforts by departments, local authorities and contractors, first-phase construction has reached 55–65% of the total contract value.

Of the 10 schools in the first phase, nine have mobilized maximum manpower and are working three shifts to complete plastering, tiling, foundation painting and equipment installation. The schools aim to begin receiving students before August 30. For the second phase, which covers 11 schools, planning adjustments, preliminary designs and site clearance are being urgently completed so that construction can begin in early August 2026.

However, the projects in mountainous border areas are facing major obstacles. Local supplies of sand, stone and filling soil are severely limited, while difficult terrain, steep mountain passes, floods and landslides have increased transport costs and delivery times. Most construction sites also face serious labor shortages.

Ground cracks and slope failures have occurred at several school sites, including Nhon Mai and Tam Thai, requiring design adjustments. Securing clean water supplies in remote areas such as Keng Du and Nhon Mai also remains a major challenge.

Concluding the meeting, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee and head of the Steering Committee Thai Van Thanh said the construction of inter-level ethnic minority boarding schools in border communes was a sound and humane policy that had gained strong public support.

He said the schools would provide modern and well-equipped learning environments, enabling students in mountainous areas to move closer to regional and international education standards.

To ensure the projects meet the schedule and quality requirements set out in the Politburo’s Conclusion No. 81-KL/TW and the Prime Minister’s Official Dispatch No. 50, Thanh asked the entire political system and relevant units to work closely with contractors, follow the timeline and review every component in detail.

Priority facilities must be completed, inspected and put into operation by August 26, 2026, allowing students to settle in and prepare for the new school year. All remaining work must be completed by September 30, 2026.

Thanh called for the rapid approval of construction drawings and cost estimates to facilitate interim payments to contractors. Local authorities were asked to immediately complete procedures related to filling-soil mines.

All electricity and domestic water connections must be completed by August 20, with backup generators made available. The procurement and installation of teaching equipment, desks, chairs and boarding facilities must also be completed promptly.

Thanh asked the Department of Education and Training and the border communes to step up communication and secure support from officials, teachers, employees, parents and students for plans to transfer and reorganize personnel.

Authorities must quickly finalize the list of teachers and school managers, as well as student numbers for each school. Qualified managers should be selected, while policies on streamlining redundant management personnel must be implemented in accordance with regulations.

Lower-secondary satellite campuses should be closed, while the number of primary school satellite sites should be reduced as much as possible. Reputable and professional companies should be selected to provide day-boarding and boarding meals, with food safety strictly guaranteed and priority given to employing local workers.

Construction contractors were instructed to increase shifts and mobilize the maximum possible manpower and machinery. They should also share equipment and coordinate skilled workers among different contract packages to support one another and meet their commitments.

Thanh also asked the Border Guard to deploy personnel and provide technical support to contractors in difficult areas. Commune authorities should mobilize local organizations, teachers and other available forces to clean the sites and prepare facilities once construction is completed, ensuring the schools are ready for the new academic year.