Lam Dong speeds up the construction of inter-level schools in border areas

Following the Politburo 's policy and the Government's directive on building integrated primary and secondary boarding schools in border communes, Lam Dong province is accelerating the construction of the first two of five schools in five border communes of the province.

Overcoming difficulties in the border region.

As a border commune, Quang Truc is located nearly 250km from the administrative center of Lam Dong province and shares a border of over 41km with the Kingdom of Cambodia. The commune is home to 26 ethnic groups with nearly 12,700 inhabitants. Although the lives of the people have gradually improved, the poverty rate remains high.

Currently, the commune has 5 public schools, including 2 kindergartens, 2 primary schools, and 1 secondary school, with over 2,430 students, of which 1,786 are in primary and secondary schools. It is projected that by the 2029-2030 school year, the number of students will increase to approximately 2,906.

However, the commune currently lacks a boarding school, forcing many students to travel 7-16km to reach the nearest high school. Consequently, only about 50% of students continue their education at the high school level, primarily due to economic difficulties and transportation challenges.

Quang Truc commune, a border area. Photo by Hoang Hoai.

According to the Lam Dong Department of Education and Training, border communes have a high rate of school-aged children, but access to education is difficult due to rugged terrain, long distances, and the impoverished living conditions of the people. Of particular concern is the continued high rate of students dropping out of school, especially at the lower secondary level.

The five border communes currently have 47 educational institutions, including 39 public schools and 5 private schools. Despite the large proportion of ethnic minority students, this area has only one boarding school for ethnic minorities (secondary and high school levels). The lack of boarding or semi-boarding schools creates significant obstacles for students in border regions in maintaining their education.

Furthermore, the shortage of secondary school teachers remains widespread. Recruitment is difficult due to limited staffing, unattractive benefits, and a lack of housing for teachers. Many teachers have to travel long distances to teach, facing inadequate living conditions, which affects the quality of teaching and their long-term commitment to the locality.

Determined to accelerate towards the goal of 5 schools in border areas.

In light of this situation, the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee has determined that the early construction of multi-level boarding schools is a fundamental solution, contributing to solving the problem of infrastructure, retaining students in border areas, and simultaneously raising the intellectual level of the population and strengthening national defense and security.

The two communes of Quang Truc and Thuan An were selected as the first locations for implementation. Despite facing many difficulties in land clearance and investment procedures, with a high sense of responsibility and the consensus of the people, the two schools are expected to be started before October 30, 2025.

Each school is built with 30 classrooms, providing learning space for approximately 1,000 students. Besides classrooms, administrative areas, and functional spaces, the facilities also include dormitories, a dining hall, living areas, and playgrounds, creating a self-contained, safe learning, training, and living environment for students in the border region.

Director of the Department of Education and Training of Lam Dong province, Le Thi Bich Lien, inspects Tuy Duc border commune.

According to the plan, the schools will be equipped with standardized facilities and teaching equipment, ensuring the conditions for organizing specialized educational programs suitable for each region. In addition, the schools will also serve to strengthen national defense and security education, contributing to building a solid "front line" along the country's borders.

During a field survey and working session with the People's Committee of Quang Truc commune, Vice Chairman of the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Minh emphasized: "The establishment of boarding schools for primary and secondary levels is an urgent requirement. It not only helps students in border areas study in better conditions, but also contributes to raising the intellectual level of the population, creating a local workforce, thereby stabilizing the population, strengthening national defense and security, and firmly protecting national border sovereignty."

After completing the first two projects, Lam Dong province is continuing to build the remaining three schools in Tuy Duc, Thuan Hanh, and Dak Wil communes. Relevant departments, agencies, and localities are urgently finalizing documents, reviewing land availability, preparing funding, and accelerating progress to begin construction in the 2025-2027 period.

Beyond its educational significance, the integrated school system in border regions also serves as a "pillar" for community cohesion, knowledge and culture dissemination, and the foundation for sustainable development in this particularly disadvantaged area.

With the coordinated efforts of the entire political system, the joint efforts of all sectors, levels, and the people, Lam Dong expects that the formation of a network of multi-level schools in the border region will open up new learning opportunities for children of ethnic minorities, helping them to confidently move towards the future, contributing to building a peaceful, stable, and developed border region.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/lam-dong-tang-toc-trien-khai-xay-truong-pho-thong-lien-cap-vung-bien-post754021.html