The commencement of these five schools marks the realization of Điện Biên’s goal to establish 15 multi-level boarding schools across the province. This initiative aligns with the Politburo’s Conclusion Notice No.81-TB/TW, dated July 18, 2025, regarding the unified investment in primary and middle boarding schools across 248 land border communes nationwide. From policy to practice, these structures are beginning to take shape, carrying the hope of improving educational quality and developing human resources in border regions. The five schools that broke ground on March 19, 2026, represent the final phase of this provincial plan, following the ten schools previously initiated, including Si Pa Phìn Multi-level School which is already in operation.

In Mường Mươn 1 village, Mường Pồn commune, the groundbreaking ceremony for the local multi-level boarding school was met with great excitement from officials and residents alike. Many parents arrived early to witness the preparations. For Cà Thị Tuyết, a local villager, this is a moment of immense pride. She shared her happiness regarding the modern and spacious nature of the upcoming school, expressing her hope that children will soon be able to study close to home rather than traveling long distances.

The Mường Pồn project is being built on an area of approximately 6.5 hectares with a scale of 30 classrooms designed to serve over 1,000 students. With a total investment of VND 275 billion, the project is managed by the Provincial Police and is expected to be completed before the 2027-2028 school year. It will serve as a “common home” providing the best living and studying conditions for students in difficult areas. Currently, the existing facilities in Mường Pồn are quite limited; for example, the Mường Mươn Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities has 502 students but only 12 permanent classrooms and lacks functional rooms. Many of the 276 students living away from home reside in cramped boarding rooms with 15 to 16 students per room, making this new construction a long-awaited development for both teachers and students.

The transformation is not limited to Mường Pồn. In Mường Chà commune, a boarding school is being constructed in Nà Ín village on nearly 6.7 hectares, aiming to serve over 1,000 border students. Vàng A Chính, the Secretary of the commune Party Committee, emphasized that the completion of this school will create a foundation to maintain student attendance, improve comprehensive educational quality, and contribute to preserving cultural identity while training local human resources.

In Na Sang, the anticipation for a new school is evident in the eyes of the students. Tăng Bảo Vy, a student at Na Sang Middle School No.1, expressed her excitement about the new school’s modern features, including its large campus, swimming pool, boarding area, and playgrounds. These simple visions reflect the deep-seated desire for a better learning environment among highland youths.

According to the general design, these boarding schools are built on areas ranging from 6 to 8 hectares, featuring 31 classrooms, 132 student boarding rooms, and 21 teacher housing units, along with full auxiliary facilities. The total capital demand for the five newly started schools is approximately VND 1,400 billion for the 2026-2027 period.

Điện Biên has already demonstrated its capability with the completion of Si Pa Phìn Multi-level Boarding School, which was inaugurated on January 31, 2026, as the first project completed nationwide under this program. From finished structures to newly started projects, highland education is gradually improving in its most fundamental aspects: classrooms, housing, and living conditions. For students at the border, each new school does more than just shorten the distance to class; it opens up opportunities to change their futures.

In communes like Mường Nhé, Mường Chà, Na Sang, Na Hỳ, and Mường Pồn, the atmosphere is focused and urgent. While the physical buildings are still in the early stages of construction, the joy among the border people is already present. This represents a commitment to a systematic and long-term investment in education, providing a solid foundation for highland students to nurture their dreams.