At Na Sang Semi-boarding Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities, new infrastructure investments are underway to better accommodate the teaching and learning demands for the upcoming school year. The school is currently leveling the land behind the main campus to build eight new classrooms and three specialized rooms. This expansion aims to reduce overcrowding and move toward updated standards for space and functionality. It marks a critical step in creating a safe, modern educational environment aligned with current reform efforts.

Phạm Hải Cường, the school’s principal, shared: “The classrooms built in previous phases are no longer suitable due to their small size, which limits teaching and learning activities. Under the new national curriculum, general classrooms and specialized rooms require larger spaces and more modern equipment. This investment in additional facilities is a crucial step toward improving educational quality, especially for students in remote mountainous areas where schools still face significant infrastructure challenges. Timely support enables us to gradually meet new national standards and provide a safe, inclusive, and effective learning environment.”

Between 2020 and 2025, Na Sang commune has effectively mobilized resources to invest in education infrastructure. During this period, the commune built 69 classrooms, 9 staff housing units, 47 boarding rooms, 1 sanitation facility, 8 kitchens, and 1 dining hall for boarding students. In addition, organizations and individuals supported the construction of 36 classrooms, 6 staff accommodations, 23 toilets, 11 boarding rooms, 5 kitchens, and 1 canteen.

According to Trần Hồng Quân, Chairman of the Na Sang commune People’s Committee, upgrading and building new educational facilities is both meaningful and practical. “It allows for better organization and distribution of classrooms, especially as student numbers fluctuate across areas and school branches. Renovating existing facilities also helps adjust their functions to meet national standards for school accreditation. Ensuring suitable infrastructure is a key factor in effectively implementing the 2018 general education program and improving overall teaching and learning quality.”

As of now, the province has 7,375 classrooms, of which 5,698 are permanent structures (77.26%). There are 1,500 subject-specific rooms, with 1,172 built permanently (78.13%); 3,594 student boarding rooms, including 1,964 permanent ones (54.92%); and 1,684 staff housing rooms, with 730 permanent structures (43.35%).

In recent years, education infrastructure across the province has continued to receive focused investment in new construction, renovation, and repairs, meeting the basic requirements for teaching and learning. Following the implementation of the two-level local government model, general schools remain stable in structure. However, the demand for facility upgrades and equipment purchases remains high. In many schools, the lack of classrooms and boarding spaces has worsened due to rising student numbers. Additionally, older buildings have deteriorated over time or been damaged by natural disasters. In response, the Department of Education and Training has proactively addressed these challenges by conducting assessments, identifying needs, and working with other departments to advise the provincial People’s Committee on infrastructure investment under the 2025 budget, while also developing a long-term plan for the 2026-2030 period. The department has also reallocated regular operating funds to carry out essential repairs for the new school year.

Cù Huy Hoàn, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Education and Training, noted: “We have proactively reviewed and submitted proposals for state budget allocations, advising the provincial government to prioritize medium- and annual-term public investment in education, especially in disadvantaged areas. We’ve outlined detailed investment needs for each school and location to submit to the Ministry of Education and Training for inclusion in national target programs. We are also calling on the central government and ministries to prioritize resources for school infrastructure in difficult and border areas. At the same time, we’ve instructed schools to make the most of regular operating funds to carry out routine maintenance and repairs, ensuring the best possible facilities for educational activities. We actively seek support from international and non-governmental organizations and encourage businesses, alumni, and the wider community to contribute to building schools and providing teaching equipment.”

Efforts to invest in and upgrade school infrastructure in recent years have brought about positive changes for the education sector. Newly built facilities have significantly improved learning and living conditions for students, laying a strong foundation for effective implementation of the new national curriculum. Step by step, these investments are enhancing education quality and building momentum for sustainable educational development in the province’s mountainous areas.