The construction of many schools in Dong Nai Province has been delayed due to lack of funding, forcing thousands of students into makeshift classrooms. A makeshift classroom in Trieu Thi Trinh Primary School. In February of this year, the Government issued Resolution 11, requesting cuts in public investment. This has affected a large number of projects nationwide, including many schools in Dong Nai.
According to the provincial Department of Education and Training, after the public investment cuts, the local education sector has slowed down construction on 24 of its schools, which would have added a total of 215 classrooms. Thong Nhat District has four delayed school projects, causing around 600 students to have to temporarily use crowded or makeshift classrooms. In Tan Phu District, construction on four schools and the upgrade of 14 old schools are also at a halt because lack of funds. Students rush into the classrooms just to find a seat, those who don't make it must stand. In Bien Hoa City there is a similar situation. Construction on eight schools is on hold, and students there have been forced to study in cultural houses or even the offices of local agencies. Dao Duc Trinh, an official from the Dong Nai Department of Education and Training, said, “We have proposed that the department leaders to set an inspection team to assess the situation. Also we've recommended that the provincial People’s Committee immediately allocate VND165 billion ($7.9 million) for 21 urgent school projects.”
Bo Ngoc Thu, Director of the provincial Department of Planning and Investment, said the department has made a similar proposal for funds to build schools. (Thanh Nien – Young People Sept 15)
