Early completion of 100 schools before the 2026–2027 academic year
The Politburo on July 18, 2025 issued Conclusion No. 81-TB/TW on the policy of investing in the construction of boarding schools in border communes. According to Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son, this is a major decision of profound political, social and humanitarian meaning, demonstrating the special concern of the Party and the State towards people in border areas, particularly teachers and pupils.
The programme to build 100 inter-level boarding schools in border communes (phase 1, 2025–2026), under the overarching policy to complete the construction of 248 schools in border communes, is a key task that concretises the guidance of the Politburo and the Government on developing education in disadvantaged areas, narrowing regional disparities, ensuring equal access to education, and contributing to social security, socio-economic development and safeguarding national defence in border regions. The total investment for the construction of the 100 schools is nearly 20 trillion VND (758.9 million USD), funded by the government budget.
The investment list for the 100 schools has been approved by the Prime Minister, with funding allocated; localities have made strong efforts to implement the project so as to complete the task before the start of the 2026–2027 academic year.
A groundbreaking ceremony for 72 inter-level boarding primary and lower-secondary schools in land border communes took place simultaneously in 17 provinces and cities on November 9. Previously, 28 schools had already commenced construction and are currently being built at an accelerated pace.
Organising the simultaneous groundbreaking of 72 projects at the same time, with the participation of leaders from the Government, ministries, sectors and localities, demonstrates the close coordination and strong determination of the entire political system in caring for pupils in border regions, ensuring all necessary conditions are in place to complete investment in 100 schools before the 2026–2027 academic year.
High-standard facilities supporting pupils’ holistic development
The 100 inter-level boarding schools being built form the initial phase of a total of 248 schools in 248 border communes. This is a large-scale project featuring synchronised and modern construction, meeting the needs of learning, boarding or semi-boarding accommodation for pupils, and providing official housing for teachers, thereby creating a comprehensive educational and training environment.
The schools are being invested in along the lines of large-scale, synchronised and modern facilities that fully support educational activities, daily living, and moral, intellectual, physical and aesthetic development—aiming at the holistic development of learners. Their facilities are designed to meet the highest standards (level 2 under current regulations, with several criteria exceeding level 2 such as space and total area). Many existing schools across the country have yet to meet these standards.
Alongside school construction, the Ministry of Education and Training is currently taking the lead and working with ministries and sectors to develop a set of synchronised policies to ensure that these schools become exemplary models—best equipped for learning, training, daily activities and the comprehensive development of pupils in border communes.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the 72 projects, held at the Hua Bum Inter-level Boarding School in Lai Chau Province on November 9, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son stated that, together with the construction of the schools, the Ministry is presiding over and coordinating with ministries and sectors to develop regulations on policies for pupils and teachers; regulations on the operational framework of inter-level boarding schools; preferential, recruitment and talent-utilisation policies for teachers; career orientation policies; and the selection of local officials who were formerly pupils of these inter-level boarding schools, as well as many other integrated policies to ensure the schools serve as exemplary models and become a great source of hope for the Party, the State, localities and the people of the border communes.
“The policy of building inter-level boarding schools in land border communes seeks to provide the best and fullest support for the learning, training, daily living and holistic development of pupils, with the expectation that they will grow into capable and virtuous citizens who can contribute to the construction, development and protection of the nation—and directly of their own homeland in the border regions,” Minister Nguyen Kim Son said.
The Minister also noted that the schools are invested in to meet the learning and boarding or semi-boarding needs of all pupils living in border communes, without distinction. All pupils in border communes are entitled to boarding or semi-boarding support.
With a modern, synchronised, sustainable and safe system of facilities, the Ministry of Education and Training hopes this will mark a breakthrough and bring about fundamental and comprehensive change in education in border regions. It also reaffirms the special attention and care of the Party and the State for areas still facing hardship, thereby helping narrow regional disparities and ensuring fairness in access to education in Viet Nam.
The Minister stressed that, building on the initial results, in order to successfully complete the tasks and meet set goals and plans, the Ministry of Education and Training calls on ministries and sectors to continue close coordination during implementation; to ensure adequate investment capital in 2026; and on localities to focus on organising safe, high-quality construction to ensure on-time completion and to fully prepare teaching staff, facilities and admissions procedures so that the schools can begin operation immediately once construction is completed before the new academic year.
