To ensure school facilities are ready for pupils returning to classes, the education sector is accelerating the construction and renovation of school buildings. Additionally, new equipment is being purchased to meet the teaching and learning requirements for the 2024-2025 academic year.

The Le Hong Phong Junior High School in Hai Chau District has built a new building that includes the administration area and subject-specific classrooms. Photo: NGOC HA

Joy of new schools

In preparation for the upcoming school year, the Le Hong Phong Junior High School based in Hai Chau District has received nearly VND 15 billion to construct a new administrative building and subject-specific classrooms.

In the 2024-2025 academic year, the school will have six sixth-grade classes, increasing the total number of classes to 22, accommodating over 800 pupils. The new building includes five subject-specific classrooms equipped with modern facilities.

Due to the limited courtyard space, the new building also features a football field and basketball court on the fifth floor - an innovative solution for schools in the city centre.

"The project is now complete, with the contractor finishing the final touches to hand over the building for cleaning before the new term starts. The upgraded facilities are expected to boost the excitement for the new school year," the school’s Headmaster Dang Ngoc Lam said.

Similarly, in early August, the construction of the Vo Thi Sau Primary School in Lien Chieu District was hastily completed so that the school could prepare for the new academic year.

The project, which includes a new classroom block and functional rooms, received an investment of nearly VND 26 billion. It includes eight new classrooms outfitted with modern furniture and equipment.

The school’s Headmistress Truong Thi Thanh Thuy expressed her delight, saying "With the additional classrooms, the school can now offer all 41 classes with nearly 1,800 pupils the opportunity to study all day. This is a significant improvement for our school, which has struggled with overcrowded classrooms for years and is essential for implementing the new general education programme".

Speeding up construction progress

In addition to the Vo Thi Sau Primary School, the Hong Quang Primary School in Lien Chieu District is also undergoing construction with a VND 25.5 billion investment for new classrooms and functional rooms.

Furthermore, several schools are receiving minor repairs with a total budget of over VND 18 billion. Specific improvements include new classroom and administrative office doors at the Luong The Vinh Junior High School (VND 279 million); the creation of a new food processing area, tiled floors, new classroom doors, and fresh paint at the Huong Duong Kindergarten (VND 2.264 billion); resurfaced schoolyards, renovated bathrooms, and new bike parking at the Nguyen Luong Bang Junior High School (over VND 3.6 billion); and the renovation of the Le Anh Xuan Junior High School’s schoolyard and construction of storage rooms (VND 3.9 billion).

Additionally, the Nguyen Thai Binh Junior High School’s schoolyard has been repaved, drainage systems improved, classrooms and fences repainted, a new bike shed constructed, and protective frames installed for classrooms and administrative offices (VND 5.097 billion).

Using funds for education activities, Lien Chieu District is purchasing 1,200 sets of desks and chairs for new classrooms, costing VND 1.2 billion, and dividing the eight new classrooms to ensure all primary pupils can study all day, with an additional VND 1.4 billion allocated.

In Hoa Vang District, numerous schools are also being upgraded and repaired to be ready for the new academic year, funded by the city and new rural development projects.

Specific projects include the construction of a new nine-classroom block at the Nguyen Phu Huong Junior High School, the renovation of an old wing, the relocation of a swimming pool, and the construction of a new sports ground; the expansion of the Hoa Lien Primary School No. 2; the renovation of classrooms and the construction of a new English functional room at the Hoa Phuoc Primary School; waterproofing at the An Phuoc Primary School; and the construction of fire prevention and fighting systems at several schools.

According to the Department of Education and Training, the previous academic year’s school infrastructure generally met teaching and learning needs. Throughout the city, 98.3% of pupils study 2 sessions per day, with 100% of desks and chairs being movable to accommodate new teaching methods. Many schools have modern, well-equipped facilities that meet the requirements of the new educational curriculum and allow teachers to integrate information technology into their lessons effectively.

Director of the municipal Department of Education and Training Le Thi Bich Thuan noted that in preparation for the 2024-2025 academic year, the department had instructed district-level education offices and high schools to continue reviewing and proposing the construction and renovation of classrooms and functional rooms, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary teaching materials as per the 2018 General Education Programme.

The preparation of school facilities across the city is on schedule. The department has guided schools to develop plans for the new academic year, addressing challenges, and investing in infrastructure. Moreover, the department continues to monitor, inspect, and expedite the completion of key construction projects at schools, ensuring all conditions are met for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Reporting by NGOC HA - Translating by TRUC VY