Accelerating border school construction

In late May, construction sites for border schools across Tuyen Quang Province have been bustling with activity as thousands of engineers and workers race against time to complete new inter-level boarding schools for primary and lower secondary students in border communes under a major policy of the Politburo.

Taking advantage of favorable weather conditions, the construction unit is speeding up progress on the Pa Vay Su Inter-level Boarding School for Primary and Secondary Students.

Under Decision No. 990/QD-UBND issued by the provincial People’s Committee, six projects in the first phase are being implemented in Thanh Thuy, Minh Tan, Pho Bang, Son Vi, Xin Man and Pa Vay Su communes. Following the groundbreaking ceremony in November 2025, procedures including site clearance compensation, bomb and mine clearance, and contractor selection were quickly completed, allowing simultaneous construction to begin by the end of 2025.

So far, many projects have recorded encouraging progress. The Minh Tan and Thanh Thuy inter-level boarding schools have completed about 65% of construction work. Pa Vay Su has reached nearly 55%, Son Vi over 40%, while Pho Bang and Xin Man have surpassed 35%. Contractors are operating around the clock with “three shifts and four crews,” making the most of favorable weather to accelerate construction.

However, the projects are facing significant challenges due to rugged mountainous terrain, harsh weather conditions, and soaring construction material prices. Several sites have encountered landslides and underground water flows, forcing contractors to apply additional technical solutions to ensure the safety of foundations and slopes. A shortage of skilled labor and limited supplies of filling materials have also increased pressure on both costs and construction schedules.

Alongside the six first-phase projects, Tuyen Quang Province is expediting investment procedures for 11 additional inter-level boarding schools in other border communes. Most projects have already completed feasibility appraisal procedures and begun land clearance work.

According to the Tuyen Quang Provincial People’s Committee, three specialized task forces have been established to address obstacles, prepare teaching staff, and arrange equipment procurement for the schools once completed. Rising gradually amid rocky mountains and drifting clouds, these schools are expected not only to bring knowledge to remote border communities but also to strengthen the nation’s frontier areas.

Van Nghi