Coordinate to ensure effective investment in educational infrastructure.

(Baonghean.vn) - On the morning of October 17th, the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Council held a working session on basic construction investment at the Department of Education and Training, chaired by Mr. Nguyen Xuan Son - Member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council. Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Chi - Provincial Party Committee Member, Director of the Department of Education and Training, along with representatives from various departments and investors of education sector projects, worked with the delegation.

In 2012, 2013, and 2014, 65 basic construction projects for the education sector were completed. These projects focused on building new classrooms, subject-specific classrooms, and multi-functional buildings; upgrading and renovating administrative buildings and technical infrastructure for preschools, primary schools, secondary schools, and high schools throughout the province. The quality of educational infrastructure and equipment has significantly improved, contributing to enhanced teaching and learning. However, some newly constructed facilities do not meet the standards set by the education sector, particularly subject-specific classrooms and laboratories at the secondary level, and classrooms and sanitary facilities at the preschool level. For example, at the Ethnic Minority Boarding Secondary School in Tuong Duong district, Hung Tan Kindergarten in Hung Nguyen district, Chieu Luu Kindergarten in Ky Son district, Sao Mai Kindergarten in Quy Hop district, etc., the reason is that the Department of Education and Training does not directly manage all construction projects under the education sector, but instead assigns them to educational institutions as investors lacking the capacity to directly manage construction quality. These investors have to hire management consultants, which leads to shortcomings in the appraisal and control of construction projects.

Comrade Nguyen Xuan Son - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, concluded the working session.

During the meeting, representatives from the Department of Education and Training explained the issues of concern to the supervisory delegation, as well as the difficulties the department faced in the investment and construction of infrastructure projects according to the Provincial People's Council Resolution. These included the Department's role and responsibilities in state management, construction quality supervision, investment policy advice, and settlement of accounts. This clarified the inadequacies in the allocation of responsibilities to each sector related to investment and construction projects. Specifically, the Education sector's responsibilities are limited to two functions: advising on and contributing to the development of policies and projects, and inspecting and evaluating the quality of construction projects according to the standards set by the Ministry of Education. However, this inspection is only carried out after the project is completed, while the assessment and management of quality during the design and construction phases are the responsibility of and governed by the Construction sector's regulations. The project owners also requested the prompt allocation of funds to complete ongoing projects and settle accounts and repay construction debts.

Comrade Nguyen Thi Kim Chi - Provincial Party Committee member, Director of the Department of Education and Training, reported on the basic construction situation of the sector.

Mr. Hoang Minh Luong - Principal of Ha Huy Tap High School, gave his remarks.

Comrade Hoang Thi Thuy Linh - Deputy Head of the Planning - Culture - Social Affairs Department, Department of Planning and Investment, answers questions.

Comrade Tran Quoc Chung - Deputy Head of the Economic and Budget Committee of the Provincial People's Council, contributed his opinion.

Concluding the meeting, Comrade Nguyen Xuan Son acknowledged that the advisory and appraisal role of the Education and Training sector is essential for infrastructure development in education to meet the sector's needs. He agreed with the proposal to develop a specific roadmap and plan, prioritizing projects with urgent needs, avoiding wasteful and scattered investments. Most importantly, the Department of Education and Training and other departments and sectors need to share responsibility and coordinate more effectively to ensure consistency in infrastructure investment from policy to implementation.

Thuc Anh