In border areas, getting to school can still be a challenge for many children and their families. But their hopes for education remain strong.
Trieu Thi Mai Phuong, Student, Ha Lang Primary & Secondary Boarding School, Cao Bang Province said: "My parents worked hard to raise my sister and I. We have to study hard, so that one day we can give something back to our parents".
For Mai Phuong, education is a way to build a better future beyond her family’s circumstances. The Ha Lang Boarding School has more than 1,000 students, most of them from the Tay and Nung ethnic groups. For many, it is their first experience of studying at a fully equipped school.
Hoang Van Thanh Dat, Student, Ha Lang Primary & Secondary Boarding School, Cao Bang Province said: "The school is really impressive and modern. I hope we can have a big football pitch where the boys can play".
For a new school, students’s enthusiasm is an important first measure of its success. But turning that enthusiasm into a stable learning environment requires careful preparation, especially in staffing.
Ma Vinh Tuong, Deputy Director, Cao Bang Department of Education and Training said: "The province has arranged nearly 800 managers, teachers and staff for 11 schools. We are prioritising the deployment of teachers to ensure there are enough staff for regular classes, two-shift teaching and educational activities".
Nearly 12,000 students at boarding schools across the province’s border areas are now ready to begin the new school year, as the finishing touches on facilities and staff fall into place.
