PM Chính Highlights Education Infrastructure Investment as Key to Equity in Ethnic Minority Areas
Thái Nguyên, The Gulf Observer: Investing in infrastructure for educational institutions in ethnic minority and mountainous areas is essentially an investment in equity in access to education, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính said on Sunday.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while attending a ground-breaking ceremony in the northern province of Thái Nguyên for projects to upgrade facilities at Việt Bắc High School for Ethnic Minority Students and other university preparatory schools under the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs. The projects are among key works launched to mark the upcoming 14th National Party Congress.
PM Chính affirmed that the commencement of three infrastructure investment projects for specialised institutions — Việt Bắc High School for Ethnic Minority Students, along with the HCM City and Sầm Sơn university preparatory schools — as well as the construction of 248 boarding schools in land border areas, holds great significance. He said the initiatives reflect the Party’s, the State’s and the people’s strategic vision for socio-economic development, national defence and security in ethnic minority and mountainous regions, guided by the principle of “leaving no one behind” and rooted in solidarity and compassion.
He directed the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs to take the lead, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education and Training, to review and supplement necessary items for the three schools, ensuring that all projects are completed by September 2026.
The Prime Minister noted that in recent years, education in ethnic minority, mountainous and border areas has received special attention and priority investment from the Party, the State and Party General Secretary Tô Lâm. He highlighted the expansion of the school network from pre-school to upper secondary levels, the strengthening of boarding and semi-boarding schools, and the effective implementation of policies supporting school meals, tuition exemptions and reductions, study cost assistance, scholarships, student placement schemes and student loans.
PM Chính called on the military and public security forces, as well as local political and mass organisations, to work together in building, repairing and upgrading school facilities to ensure students benefit from the best possible learning conditions. He stressed the importance of accelerating project implementation, maintaining progress and quality, ensuring timely and lawful disbursement of funds, and preventing delays or waste.
Expressing confidence in the success of the initiatives, the Prime Minister said that with the special attention of the Party and the State, the combined efforts of the entire political system, and the determination of teachers and students in highland areas, children from ethnic minority and mountainous communities will be able to study and grow in safe and supportive schools, and develop strong foundations to contribute to a prosperous, strong and happy nation in a new era of development.
On the occasion, PM Chính presented 60 gifts to ethnic minority students and outstanding pupils of Việt Bắc High School for Ethnic Minority Students, along with three specialised classrooms for foreign languages, arts and information technology training. Minister of National Defence General Phan Văn Giang also presented 50 gifts to the school’s outstanding students.
