Three new combined primary and lower secondary boarding schools in Dak Lak Province are more than 90 per cent complete and are expected to begin operating in the 2026-27 academic year, expanding access to education in Vietnam's border communities.
Combined boarding schools in Dak Lak Province's border area are nearing completion ahead of opening (Photo: Uy Nguyen).
With only a few weeks remaining before the new school year begins, construction crews are completing the final stages of work at schools in the border communes of Ia Rve, Ia Lop and Buon Don.
During the first phase of construction, the Ia Rve Combined Primary and Lower Secondary Boarding School has reached approximately 95 per cent completion, while the Ia Lop school is about 90 per cent complete and the Buon Don school has reached around 98 per cent. Contractors are now installing equipment ahead of handover.
Classrooms have been fitted with desks, chairs and equipment (Photo: Uy Nguyen).
The three schools are expected to enrol about 3,000 pupils from Grade 1 to Grade 9 during the 2026-27 academic year. Admissions will primarily serve children living in border communes and neighbouring areas.
Pupils from Grade 4 to Grade 9 may be eligible for boarding or semi-boarding accommodation if they meet the admission criteria. Children in Grade 1 to Grade 3 will be offered lunchtime boarding only, with no overnight accommodation.
During an inspection of the projects, Luong Nguyen Minh Triet, secretary of the Dak Lak Provincial Party Committee, said the schools would play an important role not only in improving educational opportunities but also in strengthening social welfare, national defence and security, and supporting socio-economic development in border areas.
Luong Nguyen Minh Triet, Secretary of the Dak Lak Provincial Party Committee, third from left, inspects progress on the border school projects (Photo: Tu Anh).
Dak Lak Province is building a total of five combined primary and lower secondary boarding schools in the border communes of Buon Don, Ia Lop, Ia Rve, Ea Bung and Ea Rok, with total investment of approximately VND 790 billion (USD 30.2 million). Three of the schools are scheduled to open for the 2026-27 academic year.
The campuses include classrooms, specialist teaching facilities, boarding accommodation, dining halls, staff housing and other supporting infrastructure.
Once completed, the schools will provide education, accommodation and daily living facilities for thousands of pupils from remote border communities, helping narrow the education gap between disadvantaged regions and urban centres.
