The projects are scheduled for completion before August 30, 2026. The integrated primary and secondary school in Si Pa Phìn commune has already been completed and put into use from the second semester of the 2025-2026 academic year. Once fully operational, the schools are expected to meet the learning and boarding needs of about 10,000 students.

In early July 2025, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the integrated primary and secondary school in Si Pa Phìn commune, General Secretary Tô Lâm emphasized: “Investing in education in border areas is investing in the country’s future. Each solid school built along the nation’s frontier will provide a safe, modern learning environment for generations of students, while strengthening the people’s trust and safeguarding national sovereignty.”

That directive has been translated into action by Điện Biên province through the construction of new schools in border communes, carrying renewed hope and expectations to the frontier.

In many border communes, school facilities remain limited. Satellite campuses are located far from commune centers, classrooms are deteriorating and equipment is insufficient. Rough roads make the journey to school challenging, placing obstacles on students’ path to knowledge.

Creating a stable and safe learning environment for ethnic minority children in border areas has therefore become an urgent, long term priority. The construction of integrated ethnic minority boarding schools at the primary and secondary levels is seen as a strategic solution, helping improve education quality, develop local human resources and lay a solid foundation for sustainable development in border communes.

In the lead-up to the 2026 Lunar New Year, construction sites across several border communes have accelerated. In Si Pa Phìn, the integrated primary and secondary school project, with total investment of VND 228.5 billion, has been completed and put into operation. The project implements the Politburo’s policy to build 248 integrated ethnic minority boarding schools in mainland border communes.

Amid ongoing hardship in the frontier region, the new school has brought visible joy to residents. Lò Văn Chơi of Si Pa Phìn commune said: “For years, students from remote villages have faced great difficulties getting to school. Now that this spacious new school is complete, people in the commune are delighted. We believe our children will have better learning conditions and more opportunities ahead.”

In Sín Thầu commune, located at the country’s westernmost point, construction of an integrated ethnic minority boarding school is underway with total investment of VND 197 billion across 8.4 hectares. The project is expected to be completed before August 30, 2026, serving more than 1,000 ethnic minority students in the area.

Nguyễn Hồng Thắng, Acting Director of the Project Management and Land Development Board for Area 5, said site leveling began immediately after the groundbreaking ceremony and more than 50% of the workload has been completed. Foundation work for classroom blocks, drainage systems and water supply infrastructure is progressing on schedule. Contractors have increased shifts and mobilized additional manpower and equipment to ensure the project is completed and operational before the deadline.

Community consensus has played a crucial role in ensuring smooth implementation. Many households voluntarily donated land and handed over cleared sites to keep projects on track. These contributions reflect strong alignment between Party policy and public support, helping secure a brighter educational future for children in border areas.

A typical example is the integrated ethnic minority boarding school project in Núa Ngam commune. Three households in Ten Núa village donated land within the planned site. Lò Văn Thương of Ten Núa village said: “In rural areas, land is extremely valuable as it supports our livelihoods. But after learning about the policy to build an integrated school here, my family willingly gave up our land. With a new school, children in the village will have better learning conditions and broader prospects.”

Construction of integrated ethnic minority boarding schools continues to accelerate in line with Conclusion Notice No.81-TB/TW of the Politburo. As spring spreads across villages and hamlets, the emerging school buildings are opening new doors to knowledge, making the journey to class easier for border area students. With improved educational conditions, Điện Biên province is strengthening public trust and laying firmer foundations for sustainable development along the nation’s frontier.