Na Bung Commune strives to improve the quality of education in border areas

GD&TĐ - In a remote border area, Na Bung commune is gradually investing in facilities, opening up better learning opportunities for ethnic minority students in the highlands.

Keeping the "fire" of education burning in the border areas

Na Bung is a particularly difficult border commune of Dien Bien province with a border of more than 41 km, including 16 villages, of which 6 are bordering Laos. The population is more than 10,200 people, mainly Mong people, accounting for 96%. The poverty rate is still over 56%, travel conditions are difficult, but in all circumstances, education is always considered the top priority by the government and people.

Over the years, the Commune Party Committee has clearly identified that "investing in education is investing in the future". From that policy, the school system has been gradually consolidated, 100% of villages have schools, the roads to school are concreted, cars can travel conveniently all year round. The appearance of education in the border area has changed significantly: temporary classrooms made of wooden planks have gradually been replaced by solid, spacious classrooms; teachers' houses and student boarding houses have been built synchronously, creating a safe and cozy environment for teachers and students to feel secure in teaching and learning.

People here often say jokingly: "Although the schools in Na Bung are not as modern as those in the lowlands, each brick and each sheet of corrugated iron has the people's efforts." Indeed, in the context of a tight budget, the commune government has mobilized the people's strength, from donating land to expand the school campus, to contributing to road construction and transporting materials. These small but humane gestures have helped education in the border area make steady progress.

Step by step solidification and modernization of schools

According to the Political Report of the Na Bung Commune Party Committee for the 2025-2030 term, the rate of solid classrooms has reached more than 61%, three schools in the area have been recognized as meeting national standards level 1. All schools have boarding areas, dining halls, kitchens, toilets, electricity and water systems, and concrete playgrounds. The rate of school-age students attending school is nearly 100%; 99% of students moving up to the next grade and 100% transferring to the next level, these are encouraging numbers for a border commune with many difficulties.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tiep, Chairman of Na Bung Commune People's Committee, shared: "We are clear that no matter how poor we are, we will not let our children drop out of school. Commune officials and people are unanimous in devoting the best resources to schools, because that is the most stable way to build a border."

Not only stopping at investing in new construction, Na Bung also focuses on upgrading and renovating the block of rooms serving meals, accommodation and activities for boarding students, at the same time renovating and expanding the teacher's housing area. In remote villages, schools are installed with additional solar lighting systems and rainwater tanks for daily use.

The socialization of education movement was launched widely, with many creative ways: the movement "Two thousand dong a day for education", the program "Water for children" or "Highland library" mobilized by the Youth Union and the Women's Union. From those small contributions, dozens of classrooms, dormitories, playgrounds, and school fences were completed, helping students have better and better learning and living conditions.

In the 2025-2030 period, Na Bung commune aims to increase the rate of solid classrooms to over 80%.

Towards sustainable education in border areas

Entering the 2025-2030 period, Na Bung commune aims to increase the rate of solid classrooms to over 80%, have at least one school meet national standards level 2; at the same time, ensure all primary and secondary school students study 2 sessions/day. The teaching staff continues to receive professional training, digital transformation skills training, towards integrated and flexible teaching for ethnic minority students.

The information technology infrastructure system has also been heavily invested. The entire commune has covered 3G and 4G signals to 16/16 villages, creating conditions for online learning and sharing of digital learning materials. Schools are equipped with additional computers, interactive TVs, and fiber optic internet. The commune government considers digital transformation a breakthrough to shorten the educational gap between the highlands and the plains.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tiep added: “The commune Party Committee identifies education development as a pillar for sustainable poverty reduction. Each spacious school not only helps children study better but also strengthens the belief and will of the people in the border area to stay in their villages and protect their land.”

Thanks to the joint efforts of the government, teachers and people, Na Bung is changing day by day. The roads leading to the schools are gradually being upgraded, and the number of children having to cross streams and forests to get to class is also decreasing. In that “frontier” place, the sound of the school drum now echoes amidst the green of the mountains and forests, as an affirmation: knowledge is being cultivated right on the fence of the Fatherland.

"Campaign to build schools in Dien Bien border area"

Pursuant to Conclusion No. 81-TB/TW of the Politburo and Resolution No. 298/NQ-CP of the Government, on October 17, 2025, the People's Committee of Dien Bien province issued Plan No. 5623/KH-UBND on "Campaign to build schools for border communes" and the movement "The whole country for beloved border students" .

Accordingly, in the 2025-2028 period, the province will build 15 new primary and secondary boarding schools for ethnic minorities in 15 border communes, prioritizing areas with special difficulties and large ethnic minority populations.

• Phase 1 (2025–2026): Construction of 10 schools started in Thanh Nua, Sin Thau, Quang Lam, Na Bung, Nam Ke, Thanh Yen, Muong Nha, Nua Ngam, Sam Mun and Si Pa Phin communes.
• Phase 2 (2026–2028): continue to deploy 5 schools in Na Sang, Muong Cha, Muong Pon, Muong Nhe, Na Hy.

The schools are designed in the direction of "green - open - sustainable" , ensuring synchronous functions with student dormitories, teachers' housing, digital infrastructure and facilities serving teaching - learning, and safe living. In particular, the inter-level boarding school in Na Bung commune will start construction before November 20, 2025, and be completed before August 30, 2026, becoming a model for the western border area of ​​the province.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/xa-na-bung-no-luc-nang-cao-chat-luong-giao-duc-vung-bien-post753304.html