Building a foundation amid difficulties

Established in 2002, Búng Lao Secondary School started with only a few makeshift classrooms and limited teaching equipment. The teaching staff was small and overburdened, often taking on multiple roles at once. Most of the students came from ethnic minority families; their journey to school was long and difficult, and many had to balance their studies with the daily challenges of putting food on the table.

Despite these difficulties, with strong support from local Party committees, authorities, parents, and the community,  along with the tireless dedication of its teachers and staff,  the school gradually overcame adversity. Principal Phạm Thúc Nam shared that the most precious asset of the school lies in its unity, perseverance, and determination of both teachers and students.

He recalled the early days when classrooms were dilapidated, teaching facilities were scarce, and the roads to school became muddy and treacherous every rainy season. Many students dropped out midway through the term, yet the staff remained steadfast,  committed to their mission and determined to improve teaching quality, one lesson at a time.

Today, Búng Lao Secondary School has 27 teachers and staff members, all of whom meet training standards, with many recognized as excellent teachers at district and provincial levels. Each teacher views coming to school not only as a responsibility but also as a privilege to nurture young minds. The school’s professional groups frequently organize specialized workshops, share experiences, and innovate teaching methods, guided by the motto: “Every lesson is a joy.”

Step by step, earning recognition

More than 20 years ago, Búng Lao Secondary School was a cramped facility with only basic equipment. Now, it spans 8,400 square meters, featuring classrooms, subject labs, a library, playgrounds, sports areas, and computer rooms with internet access,  providing a conducive learning environment for nearly 500 students.

With improved facilities, the school’s educational quality has seen steady progress. The percentage of good and excellent students has risen year by year, and 99% of students advance to the next grade. Many have earned awards in district and provincial academic competitions. In the 2024-2025 school year alone, students achieved 16 district-level prizes and 5 provincial-level awards; 100% of students graduated, with over 60% earning good or excellent results.

Beyond academic success, both teachers and students actively engage in extracurricular and cultural activities, such as sports, art, and school-wide campaigns. Initiatives like “Friendly School, Active Students,” “Building a Positive School Culture,” and “Each Teacher Is a Role Model in Ethics, Self-Study, and Creativity” have been effectively implemented, fostering a vibrant and innovative learning community in the highlands.

According to Principal Nam, one of the key factors behind the school’s success is its emphasis on social mobilization. The school regularly coordinates with local authorities, organizations, and parents to mobilize resources for improving facilities, supporting disadvantaged students, and promoting learning enthusiasm. Thanks to this collective effort, many school buildings have been upgraded, creating a clean, modern, and motivating educational environment.

Recently, the school proudly inaugurated a new two-story subject classroom building,  a project celebrating the 2025-2030 term Party Congress of Búng Lao commune. Covering 318.9 square meters and costing VND 4.2 billion, funded by the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas, the new facility not only meets students’ learning and research needs but also reflects the care of local authorities for education.

During the handover ceremony, Mr. Trương Hồng Bách, Chairman of the Búng Lao commune People’s Committee, congratulated the school and emphasized that having the project chosen as a commemorative construction for the commune’s Party Congress is both an honor and a strong encouragement. He expressed his hope that the teaching staff would continue to uphold unity, overcome challenges, and innovate teaching methods to further improve educational quality, contributing to the commune’s development.

From its early struggles to more than two decades of steady progress, Búng Lao Secondary School has proven its strength in highland education through dedication and quality. In 2023, the school was honored with the Prime Minister’s Emulation Flag for Excellence in the “Good Teaching - Good Learning” movement. Every year, it continues to receive recognition at various levels for its achievements, becoming a beacon of dedication and aspiration.

“Our current goal is to reach national standard level II by 2030,” said Principal Phạm Thúc Nam. “To achieve that, we will continue to enhance teacher capacity, innovate teaching methods, invest in facilities, and build a modern, friendly educational environment that nurtures well-rounded development in knowledge, skills, and character.”