The groundbreaking ceremony was held virtually, connecting to local sites with the central hub at Dong Dang Primary and Secondary Inter-level Boarding School in Lang Son province.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that the event underscores the Party and State's dedication to education in border regions. He emphasized a national spirit focused on the frontier, ensuring a brighter future for ethnic minority children. This, he added, "is a major policy with strategic significance, linking educational development with socio-economic progress, national defense, security, and the protection of border sovereignty."

Including 108 schools that broke ground in 2025 and the 121 schools launched on 19/3, a total of 229 inter-level boarding schools are being developed in border communes. The government and local authorities will continue to assess needs to expand this initiative, potentially including unique areas like islands.

General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and Acting Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the inter-level boarding school in Dong Dang, Lang Son, on the morning of 19/3. *Photo: Nhat Bac*

The Prime Minister urged local authorities to address challenges, expedite contractor work, and strictly oversee resource allocation to prevent waste. Schools that commenced construction in 2025 are slated for completion before 30/8, while those initiated on 19/3 are expected to finish by August 2027. "Each school will serve as a place to cultivate literacy, foster knowledge, ignite dreams, and realize aspirations," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Speaking at the ceremony, General Secretary To Lam acknowledged that educational opportunities for students in border areas lag behind those in lowland regions. Consequently, the Politburo decided to invest in constructing 248 inter-level boarding schools in land border communes. This initiative represents a humanitarian policy, highlighting the special commitment of the Party and State to residents in border, remote, and isolated communities.

The General Secretary urged local authorities to prioritize this as a critical task, regularly inspecting and monitoring progress. Design, construction, consulting, and supervision teams must operate with the highest responsibility, recognizing each project as more than just a building; it embodies the trust and aspirations of the community.

Students at the Dong Dang Primary and Secondary Inter-level Boarding School in Lang Son presented flowers to General Secretary To Lam via the online connection. *Photo: Nhat Bac*

General Secretary To Lam stressed that these schools must achieve high technical and aesthetic standards, serving as model institutions in border areas. Beyond academic instruction, the education sector should prioritize character development, ensuring schools become a nurturing second home for students.

He expressed confidence that these inter-level boarding schools will serve as "soft milestones" for border education, fostering socio-economic development and bolstering optimism for the future of these regions.

Acting Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son confirmed that 108 inter-level boarding schools from phase one are being fast-tracked for use by the 2026-2027 academic year. Si Pa Pin School in Dien Bien province has already been completed and operational since 31/1/2026.

Vu Tuan