Dream of changing education in border areas from boarding schools

With a total investment of more than 1,200 billion VND, 7 inter-level boarding schools about to be built in border communes of Gia Lai province promise to help change the face of education in border areas, bringing opportunities to thousands of ethnic minority students.

URGENT NEED FOR BOARDING SCHOOL MODEL

On the winding roads leading to the border communes of Gia Lai province, the laughter of children echoes every morning, like flocks of birds chirping to call each other to school. Behind those clear voices and laughter is the story of the thirst for learning of thousands of ethnic minority children, and the dream of modern schools that is about to become a reality.

According to the latest data from the Department of Education and Training of Gia Lai province, in the 7 border communes of Ia Dom, Ia Nan, Ia Pnôn, Ia O, Ia Chia, Ia Mơ and Ia Púch, there are currently more than 10,000 students, of which ethnic minority students account for more than 50%. This number not only reflects the scale of education in the border area but also shows the importance of investing in education development for ethnic minorities.

Despite their large scale, with schools having up to 62 classrooms such as in Ia O commune (2,223 students) or Ia Chia (53 classrooms, 1,552 students), the facilities in these border communes still have many shortcomings. Current schools do not have boarding or semi-boarding functions, while the need for students to be cared for at school is up to thousands of students. The accommodation for teachers is mainly old, requisitioned rooms, some of which are damaged. This not only affects the quality of teaching but also directly impacts the lives of dedicated teachers in the border area.

In particular, the lack of housing for students has become a major barrier. Many ethnic minority students have to walk long distances to get to school, or have to drop out because their families cannot afford to take them there, as their parents often have to work in the fields all day.

Facilities in schools in border areas are mostly degraded, not ensuring teaching and learning.

PHOTO: TRAN HIEU

These show the urgent need for a boarding school model.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tien, Vice Chairman of Ia Dom Commune People's Committee, said: "The school to be built is expected to be located on an area of ​​about 7 hectares, about 1 km from the commune People's Committee headquarters, with enough space for about 1,400 students. With the regulation of studying 2 sessions/day, the current school and teachers are not enough. Having a new school will create favorable conditions for teaching and learning in the border area, not only in our commune but also in 6 other communes."

CREATING A BOOST FOR EDUCATION IN BORDER AREAS

Gia Lai province has decided to start construction of 7 primary and secondary boarding schools in 2025, with a total investment of more than 1,200 billion VND; to be put into use in the next school year.

According to the approved plan, the new schools will be designed according to the standards of the Ministry of Education and Training, including full items serving teaching, learning, care and comprehensive training for students. These will be modern schools, meeting the boarding and semi-boarding needs of thousands of students.

The special feature of this project is the integration of many levels of education in the same campus, creating an economical and effective "inter-level school" model. Students can study from primary to secondary school at the same location, minimizing travel and creating stability in the learning process.

7-hectare land planned to build a new school in Ia Dom commune, Gia Lai province

PHOTO: TRAN HIEU

On September 17, following the order of the Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee, Mr. Lam Hai Giang, Vice Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee, issued an official dispatch directing relevant agencies to complete investment preparations to start construction in 2025 and complete the project before September 2026. This is a rather urgent schedule, demonstrating the urgency of the task.

The project of building boarding schools in border areas is not simply about building facilities. This is considered a real revolution in education in border areas, bringing many profound meanings. It is to solve the problem of geographical distance - the biggest barrier to education in border areas. When having a place to stay at school, students can focus on studying without having to worry about daily commuting.

The boarding school model will create a comprehensive educational environment, where students not only learn cultural subjects but also practice life skills and develop their personalities in a collective environment. This project will create a positive ripple effect for the entire border area. When students are fully educated and have access to quality education, they will become intellectual seedlings, contributing to changing the socio -economic landscape of their homeland.

CHALLENGES COMES WITH OPPORTUNITIES

However, the project implementation also faces many challenges. The process of investment preparation, planning adjustment, land allocation and handling of public assets in border communes is not simple. In particular, the construction of appropriate policies for students and teachers in border areas also requires careful research.

However, these challenges also open up great opportunities. When boarding schools come into operation, they will become modern educational centers, attracting good teachers to work. This will improve the overall quality of education in the region.

When the school bell rings at these modern schools, it will be the sound of hope, of a bright future for thousands of ethnic minority children.

Complete the network of boarding schools before 2030

Understanding the importance of education in border areas, the Party and State have made breakthrough decisions. Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW of the Politburo has set the goal of "completing the construction of a network of boarding schools in ethnic minority, disadvantaged and border areas before 2030".

This is not only a policy but also a specific commitment to ensuring that students in land border communes enjoy boarding and semi-boarding policies suitable to the practical difficulties of terrain and geographical distance.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/uoc-mo-thay-doi-giao-duc-vung-bien-tu-nhung-ngoi-truong-noi-tru-185250923173809054.htm