Nghe An: Racing against time to build a multi-level boarding school.
After more than four months of implementation, the project to build multi-level boarding schools in Nghe An is being carried out urgently. During the construction process, many difficulties have arisen, but relevant departments, agencies, and local authorities are striving to complete the projects by 2026.
For the common good
After nearly 20 years of living together, starting this year, teacher Ho Minh Dung and his wife Vy Thi Thuong – teachers at Bac Ly Ethnic Boarding Junior High School in Bac Ly commune – will move to a new home. The relocation will significantly impact their family life, but for Mr. Dung, it's necessary for the commune to acquire land for the construction of the Bac Ly Ethnic Boarding Primary and Junior High School. Previously, as both Party members and teachers working in the commune, the couple were among the pioneers in the land clearance process. Thanks to their efforts, the remaining three households also voluntarily relocated, helping Bac Ly commune to hand over 100% of the land to the construction unit.
Also at Bac Ly Ethnic Boarding High School, from the end of 2025, 14 other teachers who were living in the teachers' housing complex voluntarily moved out to rent accommodation. Meanwhile, the former housing block has been converted into a dormitory, offices for the school's management board, and a teachers' duty room.
For students, starting from the second semester, more than 300 students at the school had to shift their regular class schedules from morning to afternoon as part of the school's facilities had to be demolished for asset liquidation and to gather materials for foundation excavation and construction. In addition, exam preparation classes for graduating students and supplementary classes for boarding students had to be moved to mornings and evenings due to a shortage of classrooms, and classes are currently being temporarily borrowed from the primary school.
Although these solutions are only temporary, they are the best option to facilitate the construction process.boarding schoolThe project will be completed soon. During the discussion, Mr. Pham Sy Truong, the school principal, added: "All the classrooms, offices, dormitories, and cafeteria at our school are currently in makeshift and temporary condition. However, during the relocation process, teachers and students are all in agreement and willing to endure some hardship for a while so that we can soon have a new, more spacious and beautiful school."
Bac Ly is a particularly disadvantaged border commune in Nghe An province, with a 3.5 km border adjacent to the Loong Cang and Muong Quan villages (Hua Phan - Laos), and three-quarters of its area consisting of sloping land and barren hills. The commune currently has two primary schools and one secondary school with a total of 1,200 students, mostly children from ethnic minority groups, studying in challenging conditions.
Given this reality, when the plan to build a multi-level boarding school was implemented, the local government and people in the commune eagerly awaited and were ready to create all the necessary conditions for the project to be put into use as soon as possible.
Given the unique characteristics of a remote and isolated commune, relocating residents and providing new housing is extremely challenging. However, within a short period, the commune authorities have completed all land clearance work to hand over the site to the construction unit. Currently, although the rainy season is approaching, we hope that with the concerted efforts of the government, the people, and the involvement of relevant units, the multi-level school will be completed by the end of August this year, ready to welcome students.
Mr. Pham Viet Phuc - Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Ly Commune
In Que Phong commune, in order to hand over the entire construction site for the integrated primary and secondary boarding school, the commune authorities have recently developed various plans to urgently relocate some households and medical facilities and schools in the area.
During the discussion, Mr. Luu Van Hung – Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune – stated: Besides the public land under the management of the Que Phong Forestry Station and the former Muong Ngoc Commune Health Station, we have reclaimed land from 9 households in the two villages of Co Nong and Na Phay. The majority of the affected area consists of forest land (acacia trees) and perennial crops. Furthermore, in this second semester, we are also planning to relocate Muong Ngoc Primary School to a new location to facilitate construction and ensure the safety of teachers and students.
During the implementation process, the commune also requested relevant departments and the Compensation Council to coordinate closely, conducting investigations and surveys in an open, transparent, and accurate manner, ensuring maximum protection of the legitimate rights of the people in accordance with the law.
Concentrateforce for construction
In early November 2025, Nghe An province simultaneously commenced construction on 10 boarding schools for primary and secondary levels in the communes of Tam Thai, Anh Son, Tri Le, Mon Son, Nhon Mai, Bac Ly, Que Phong, Na Ngoi, Hanh Lam, and Keng Du. To date, after four months of implementation, according to the report from the Management Board of Investment and Construction Projects for Civil and Industrial Works, all 10 projects have been completed and their compensation, support, and resettlement plans have been approved.
Regarding the preparation of feasibility studies, there are currently 4 projects being submitted to the Department of Construction for appraisal; and 6 projects being submitted to the Department of Finance for appraisal and reporting to the competent authority for approval. In addition, the Board is also coordinating with the Department of Agriculture and Environment to complete procedures for material quarries (sand, soil) under a special mechanism to reduce costs and accelerate construction progress.
Immediately after the land was handed over, construction began on 10 projects in various localities, focusing mainly on site leveling and foundation excavation. In some projects, contractors concentrated manpower, equipment, and machinery to continue construction throughout the Lunar New Year holiday in order to meet the deadline.
The current challenges include the fact that the construction sites for the multi-level boarding school are mainly located in remote areas, resulting in a scarcity of construction materials. In some areas, roads have been severely damaged by natural disasters, storms, and floods, causing disruptions to transportation at times. In addition, some projects are facing difficulties in the allocation and assignment of investment capital.
We recognize these projects as significant initiatives that contribute to the completion of the school network and improve teaching and learning conditions. Therefore, the Board will closely coordinate with local authorities and relevant units to ensure that the projects are implemented on schedule and in accordance with regulations, striving to complete them as planned.
Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung – Deputy Head of Planning Department, Management Board of Investment Projects for Civil and Industrial Construction Works
Alongside the ongoing construction of existing projects, Nghe An province is expected to begin construction on 11 more multi-level boarding school projects this March in communes such as Thong Thu, Nam Can, Tam Quang, Muong Xen, Chau Khe, etc. To prepare for the groundbreaking ceremony, at the end of February, a provincial delegation visited the localities to assess the situation, listen to reports, and inspect the construction sites of the multi-level schools.
Speaking about the multi-level school project in the area, Mr. Xa Van Luong – Secretary of the Party Committee of Nam Can commune – said: "Our area is mainly hilly and mountainous, so choosing a site of 5 hectares for building a boarding school is difficult. During the survey process, we also proposed alternative plans and hope they will be approved soon, helping the project to be completed quickly so that our children have a spacious and beautiful place to study and live."
In addition to site selection, the province has also assigned the Project Management Board and the Department of Education and Training to review the number of students, classes, and boarding needs to determine the scale of investment and the total estimated capital requirements.
Regarding other important matters, recently, at a meeting of the Steering Committee for key projects in the province, Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Khac Than also requested that all levels, sectors, and units fully understand their responsibilities and recognize the significance and importance of key projects. Based on this understanding, they should make concerted efforts, focus their efforts, and coordinate effectively to overcome difficulties and obstacles.
