Local authorities in Dien Bien's Sin Thau Commune said they are working with Sen Thuong Kindergarten to finalise documentation, cost estimates and construction plans for the Ta Lo San and Ta Khoa Pa school sites.
“Our goal is to start construction as soon as possible so children can study in safe and decent classrooms,” Do Thuy Giang, vice chairman of the Sin Thau Commune People’s Committee, said on January 19.
The two sites currently lack electricity, clean water, mobile phone coverage, boarding kitchens and staff accommodation. Classrooms are badly run down, with leaking tin roofs and mould-covered walls. In winter, cold winds blow through broken windows, while heavy rain makes schoolyards slippery and classrooms damp.
After Dantri Newspaper reported on conditions at the schools in late 2025, readers from across the country donated funds to help rebuild and repair the facilities.
Toan Quang Nu, a teacher at Ta Lo San, said teachers, parents and pupils were delighted and eagerly awaiting the start of construction.
“We encourage one another and the children to keep going, knowing that benefactors are supporting us,” she said.
She added that the greatest source of joy was not only improved facilities, but the sense of care and solidarity from the wider community, which has given teachers in remote areas greater motivation to overcome hardship.
At Ta Khoa Pa, teacher Trinh Thi Hoa said staff and parents were also encouraged by news that the project was moving forward.
“We all hope the school will soon be repaired and a new kitchen built so there will be no more leaking roofs, children can study safely and teachers have a place to rest after class,” she said. “Parents in the village are very happy and are ready to contribute labour when construction begins.”
Mua A Vang, deputy secretary of the Dien Bien Provincial Party Committee and chairman of the Provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front, said eliminating temporary classrooms and building permanent schools is a key goal for 2025 to 2030.
He said support from Dantri's readers and donors has not only helped pupils at Ta Lo San and Ta Khoa Pa, but has also contributed to the province’s target of making 100 per cent of classrooms permanent.
“We hope to continue receiving support from readers and benefactors nationwide. Every contribution is a solid brick in building a future for children in border areas,” he said.
Do Thuy Giang said the commune is deeply grateful for the donations and is urgently completing procedures, detailed plans and budgets with Sen Thuong Kindergarten.
He said funding for the two projects remains short by more than VND 100 million (about USD 3,900), and called for continued support to ensure the work can be completed.