Accelerate school construction in border areas.

Amidst the rocky mountains, mist, and treacherous roads of the Tuyen Quang border region, thousands of engineers and workers are working day and night to accelerate the construction of multi-level boarding schools. These special projects not only pave the way for knowledge but also contribute to safeguarding the "front line" at the northernmost point of the Fatherland.

Taking advantage of favorable weather conditions, the construction unit is accelerating the construction progress of the Pà Vầy Sủ Primary and Secondary Boarding School.

Racing against time

In late May, the construction sites of border schools in Tuyen Quang province were bustling with activity. In this border region, thousands of engineers and workers were racing against time to complete the new schools on schedule. These are particularly important projects being implemented in accordance with the Politburo 's policy on building a system of boarding schools for primary and secondary levels in border communes.

Immediately after the Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 990/QD-UBND dated October 21, 2025, on the implementation of urgent public investment for 6 border school projects in phase 1, the units simultaneously commenced construction on November 9, 2025, in Thanh Thuy, Minh Tan, Pho Bang, Son Vi, Xin Man, and Pa Vay Su communes.

It is noteworthy that within a short period, a series of important procedures were completed, such as compensation payments for land clearance, bomb and unexploded ordnance removal, payment for reforestation, contractor selection, and simultaneous construction starting in December 2025. Given the nature of this urgent public investment project, the progress was identified as a top priority by the investors.

At the Minh Tan Inter-level Rural Development School (Primary and Secondary), over 400 workers are working in shifts continuously. All 15/15 main construction items have been implemented, with approximately 65% ​​of the work completed. At the Thanh Thuy Inter-level Rural Development School (Primary and Secondary), all 10 building blocks are under construction simultaneously, with approximately 65% ​​of the work completed, and around 300 workers regularly working on the site.

According to Mr. Dinh Trung Hai, the construction commander of Thanh Thuy Inter-level Primary and Secondary School, despite harsh weather conditions and rising material and labor costs, the contractor recognizes this project as of particular importance to students in the border region. The unit is mobilizing maximum manpower and machinery, organizing construction in "3 shifts, 4 teams," and taking advantage of sunny days to accelerate progress, striving to complete the project on schedule, ensuring quality and safety.

Meanwhile, the Pho Bang, Son Vi, Xin Man, and Pa Vay Su schools are also accelerating their progress. Pho Bang school has fully implemented 16 items, including 5 renovation items and 11 new construction items, achieving over 35% of the total volume. Son Vi school has reached over 40%; Xin Man school over 35%; and Pa Vay Su school has reached nearly 55% of the construction volume. These figures demonstrate the strong determination of the contractors under very short construction time constraints.

Overcoming obstacles to ensure project progress and quality.

However, behind the bustling construction activity lie considerable pressure and difficulties. Mr. Luong Van Doan, Director of the Investment and Construction Project Management Board, stated that the project's implementation coincided with the conflict in the Middle East, causing a sharp increase in fuel and construction material prices. Soaring gasoline prices led to a simultaneous rise in transportation, labor, and machinery costs, while construction contracts were based on fixed unit prices. Furthermore, the rugged mountainous terrain added significant pressure on contractors. Many projects were located in remote areas with difficult access, requiring materials to be transported from tens of kilometers away. According to the Project Management Board's report, not only in Son Vi but also in Xin Man, the land leveling process encountered landslides and the appearance of groundwater, posing a potential risk to the foundation and embankment safety of the structures. The contractors were forced to implement additional technical solutions, extending construction time and incurring additional costs. Another difficulty is the shortage of skilled labor. Because local workers are mostly employed in large industrial zones, contractors have to mobilize manpower from many other provinces and cities. Labor costs in border communes currently reach 650,000 - 750,000 VND per day, significantly increasing costs.

Furthermore, the supply of leveling materials, soil, stone, sand, and gravel has not met the demand. Although the Provincial People's Committee has directed relevant departments to expedite the procedures for demarcating areas and granting permits for material mines, the actual time to complete the licensing process can take about 6 months, directly affecting the progress of projects such as Xin Man and Pa Vay Su.

Alongside the six schools scheduled to begin construction in 2025, Tuyen Quang province is also accelerating investment procedures for the second phase of 11 multi-level boarding schools in the communes of Ban May, Thang Tin, Lao Chai, Tung Vai, Nghia Thuan, Can Ty, Bach Dich, Thang Mo, Sa Phin, Lung Cu, and Dong Van.

To date, 10 out of 11 projects have submitted their feasibility study reports for appraisal, including the Dong Van School project, which has been approved by the Provincial People's Committee. Land clearance and bomb and mine removal work has been implemented synchronously. Dozens of hectares of land have been handed over; hundreds of households have received compensation and relocated graves to make way for the project.

Specifically, the Thang Tin Inter-level Rural Development School project (primary and secondary levels) is currently facing difficulties because its construction site is located within Zone I of the Hoang Su Phi Terraced Rice Fields National Monument. The People's Committee of Tuyen Quang province is continuing to petition the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to consider approving the construction site to ensure the overall progress of the project.

According to Mr. Vuong Ngoc Ha, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, to ensure that border schools are put into operation synchronously and effectively immediately after construction is completed, the Provincial People's Committee has established three specialized working groups. Working Group No. 1 focuses on directing, resolving difficulties, and accelerating construction progress; Working Group No. 2 reviews and builds the management structure and assigns qualified teachers suitable to the specific characteristics of the border region. Regarding equipment procurement, Working Group No. 3 is tasked with directing localities to carefully review actual needs, prioritizing the purchase of minimum equipment and avoiding scattered and wasteful investments. At the same time, the province also encourages the promotion of social mobilization for items outside the investment list to improve learning and living conditions for students.

In the journey of bringing knowledge to border regions, the schools gradually taking shape amidst mountains and mist are not merely construction projects. They are also symbols of the special attention the Party and State pay to the people in border areas; they represent faith and hope for a brighter future for children in the frontier region of the country.

Text and photos: Van Nghi

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/van-hoa/giao-duc/202605/tang-toc-xay-truong-noi-bien-gioi-919201c/