Starting construction of schools in border areas: Lighting up faith and aspiration

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent his condolences to the people, students and teachers in Thanh Hoa in particular and the whole country in general; at the same time, emphasizing that investment in people is the top national policy, must be comprehensive investment, in which health and education need to be prioritized.

According to the head of the Government, the orientation for the breakthrough in education and training is to shift from "knowledge acquisition" to "comprehensive development". The structure of responsibility is clearly defined: Schools are the foundation ( Facilities, programs, curriculum and guaranteed conditions); students are the center, the subject (receiving benefits from the policies of the Party and the State); teachers are the driving force, the example that inspires learning and creativity. This viewpoint was identified by the Politburo and General Secretary To Lam as a key task to improve people's knowledge and human resource quality, create a source of cadres who are local ethnic minorities in remote areas, contributing to improving the material and spiritual life of the people.

Regarding the implementation of the construction of inter-level boarding schools in border communes, the Prime Minister stated that schools should not be built "for the purpose of having", but must be a synchronous project with sufficient functions, lighting up the trust and aspirations of students in border areas. Localities need to be urgent and drastic; at the same time, review and perfect relevant regulations and policies. Education content must be rich; design must be suitable for regional characteristics but must ensure enough space for learning, training, and living for students and public housing for teachers; in case of limited land funds, flexible arrangement, as long as full functions are provided.

Regarding resources, the Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Finance to preside over the balance of the central budget (playing a key role), local budgets and other legal sources (mobilizing businesses, philanthropists, etc.). This year, the resources are formed from increased revenue and regular spending savings, so even in the fourth quarter, enough capital can still be allocated to start construction and construction according to plan.

The Prime Minister assigned the People's Committees of border provinces to review and adjust planning; arrange land funds; ensure technical infrastructure (electricity, clean water, telecommunications, drainage, transportation), safety of students and the environment; mobilize armed forces, union members, and young people to participate; at the same time closely monitor to prevent loss, waste, and negativity; have effective operation plans after investment.

Thanks to the drastic implementation of Conclusion 81 of the Politburo, up to now, 28 schools have been started. General Secretary To Lam directly directed and attended the groundbreaking ceremony of 2 schools (si Pa Phin commune, Dien Bien and one school in Nghe An). The Prime Minister attended 2 groundbreaking ceremonies (Tay Giang commune, Da Nang; and Bat Mot commune, Thanh Hoa). Localities are determined to start construction simultaneously on November 9, 2025; due to storms and floods, 16 schools in Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, and Da Nang will start construction immediately after overcoming natural disasters. The target of 100 schools in 2025 is still guaranteed, aiming at the overall target of 248 schools in 248 border communes.

The Prime Minister called for considering this a "Quang Trung campaign" - rapid, bold in terms of time and progress but absolutely complying with processes, regulations and quality.

The Prime Minister requested that in order for hundreds of thousands of students to be able to study from September 2026, the projects need to meet 5 groups of criteria on quality, progress; site clearance and material resources; engineering - aesthetics, environmental sanitation, landscape, labor safety; no corruption, negativity, loss, waste and investment, so effective, bringing practical benefits to students, teachers, and the community, contributing to promoting local socio-economic development.

The Prime Minister suggested that the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) continue to call on organizations, businesses, entrepreneurs, philanthropists and the whole society to join hands to build and renovate schools at the border, with the spirit: "Whoever has a lot contributes a lot, whoever has a little contributes a little; whoever has meritorious services contributes a little, whoever has property contributes; wherever is convenient, contribute there".

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his deep gratitude to the team of teachers in mountainous areas, remote areas, border areas, and ethnic minority areas - "silent soldiers" who sow knowledge, faith and aspiration in the most remote places of the Fatherland. The Prime Minister wished the students to be well-educated, study well, strive to overcome difficulties, preserve their identity, nurture their dreams and great ambitions to contribute to building their homeland and country to become more and more beautiful.

The Prime Minister emphasized that with the motto " Say what you say, do it; commit to do it; do what you do, have measurable products" with the regular leadership and direction of the Politburo, the Secretariat and the participation of all levels, sectors, localities, businesses and the whole society, the program to build boarding schools and inter-level schools on the border is expected to be successful, ensuring that all children in the border area can study in a good environment, contributing to the rapid and sustainable development of border areas and the whole country.

Bustling groundbreaking ceremony at 4 inter-level boarding schools in Thanh Hoa

In Thanh Hoa, 4 projects were started at the same time. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, along with representatives of leaders of central ministries, branches and Thanh Hoa province attended the groundbreaking ceremony at the main bridge at Yen Khuong Primary and Secondary Boarding School.

In addition to the main bridge, the groundbreaking ceremony was also held at other schools including: Tam Lu Primary and Secondary Boarding School, Tam Thanh Primary and Secondary Boarding School and Na Meo Primary and Secondary Boarding School, with the participation of representatives of the Provincial Party Committee, Provincial People's Committee, departments, branches and a large number of local people and students.

Images at the groundbreaking ceremony of boarding schools for primary and secondary schools in border communes of Thanh Hoa.

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