Vietnam Enhances Border Area Student Support with New School System and Policies

Vietnam is accelerating the establishment of integrated primary and secondary boarding schools and enhancing related policies to ensure equal educational opportunities and foster future growth for children in border areas. This initiative is positioned as part of the national strategy under the one-party system to promote regional development and improve citizens' lives. The Ministry of Education and Training issued Circular No. 12/2026/TT-BGDĐT on March 4, 2026, to establish a legal framework for the operation of boarding schools in border regions. This circular comprehensively covers the operational aspects of boarding schools, including their mission, organizational structure, management of educational activities, staff, students, facilities, finances, and the relationship between schools, families, and society. Furthermore, the government promulgated Decree No. 188/2026/ND-CP, effective from July 15, 2026, which details support policies for students attending boarding schools in border areas. Under this decree, students who have lunch at school will receive 450,000 VND and 8 kg of rice per month, while boarding students will receive 1,170,000 VND and 15 kg of rice per month (for a maximum of 9 months per academic year). An additional subsidy of 2,050,000 VND per academic year will be provided for uniforms and school supplies. Schools will not only benefit from investment in modern educational equipment but also receive operational and maintenance funds of 100,000 VND per student per month. Special budgets will also be allocated for school health activities, specialized educational programs, and ensuring a safe and high-quality living environment for students. These policies are expected to ensure equitable access to education, contribute to increased literacy, cultivate high-quality local human resources, and strengthen national defense and security in border areas. The construction and operational preparations for boarding schools are rapidly advancing in several border provinces, including Cao Bang, Lang Son, Quang Tri, Nghe An, and Tuyen Quang. In Tuyen Quang province, the construction of six integrated primary and secondary boarding schools is being expedited, with parallel preparations for their operation. The Provincial Department of Education and Training has reviewed the facility status and equipment needs of the schools, creating a procurement list based on Ministry of Education and Training standards. Approximately 65.7 billion VND will be allocated for the purchase of equipment for classrooms, specialized rooms, dormitories, dining halls, and water purification systems. The goal is to have all facilities ready for immediate use upon handover. Alongside facility preparation, management structure consolidation, teacher and staff deployment, and student recruitment are underway. Tuyen Quang province has finalized a plan to deploy a total of 435 personnel across the six schools, including 34 management staff, 366 teachers, 29 support staff, and 12 service workers. This proactive approach ensures that organizational structures are established and responsibilities are assigned before the schools officially open, rather than initiating recruitment after construction is complete. Student recruitment has also commenced early, with 6,944 students admitted against a total capacity of 7,015 across the six schools, reaching approximately 99% of the designed enrollment. This reflects not only the proactive efforts of the education sector but also the significant expectations of the local population for the boarding school model. These schools will provide a better learning environment and a stable setting for the development of children, enabling parents, particularly those in areas with high out-migration for work, to focus on their labor and production activities with peace of mind.