280 schools invested in solar power
In the early days of August, at Vu Oai Primary and Secondary School, Thong Nhat commune, the preparation for the new school year is being implemented.
The option of installing rooftop solar power and adding air conditioning has received the attention of many parents.
Mr. Nguyen Van Bay - Thong Nhat commune, who has 2 children studying at campus 1 of the school - said: Currently, the classrooms have been equipped with air conditioners, and monthly electricity bills are contributed by parents.
When I was informed about the policy of installing rooftop solar power, I was very happy. This not only helps reduce the cost of air conditioning electricity, be more proactive about electricity sources, but more importantly, students can use green and environmentally friendly energy sources" - Mr. Bay said.
Ms. Hoang Thi Hai Yen - Principal of Vu Oai Primary and Secondary School - said: Implementing the policy of installing rooftop solar power, the school has organized to collect parents' opinions and received high consensus. Currently, the school is coordinating to survey the conditions for implementation in the 2026-2027 school year.
According to the Department of Education and Training of Quang Ninh province, through a survey of demand, it is expected to install about 11,550 air conditioners at 515 schools and school sites; invest in rooftop solar power at 280/292 public schools. The remaining 12 schools have not yet deployed because they are preparing for investment or construction.
Statistics show that in 2025, public preschool and general education institutions consumed more than 19.5 million kWh of electricity, costing more than 44 billion VND. In the first 5 months of 2026, electricity bill costs were more than 24.3 billion VND.
The whole industry currently uses about 17,000 air conditioners, more than 10,000 air conditioners in classrooms, meeting about 70% of the class size. Most of the previous installation costs were mobilized from socialized sources; operating costs at many schools are still mainly contributed by parents. When the policy was implemented, it received high consensus from parents.
Currently, localities and educational institutions are urgently completing the list, investment plans and balancing resources to deploy the installation of rooftop solar power and air conditioning at public educational institutions, ensuring the right subjects, technical standards, safety, economy and efficiency.
The estimated cost of installing rooftop solar power and equipping air conditioners at public educational institutions is 639.6 billion VND; of which, rooftop solar power is 407.9 billion VND, air conditioning equipment is 231.699 billion VND.
Electric buses take students to school
Along with rooftop solar power, Quang Ninh is implementing the Project to transport students to school by electric bus in the 2026-2027 school year in Ha Long, Hong Gai and Ha Tu wards.
The project includes 6 routes connecting residential areas with schools or school clusters. The first phase is expected to arrange about 50 30-seat vehicles, serving 2,151/2,596 students in need, reaching about 82.9%.
Conditions for vehicles, pick-up and drop-off points, parking lots, charging stations and power sources are being prepared, with the goal of completing inspection and acceptance before August 30, 2026.
Mr. Dinh Ngoc Son - Deputy Director of Quang Ninh Department of Education and Training - said: For students far from schools in mountainous, border, island, ethnic minority areas, primary school students whose homes are 4km away from their school, secondary school students from 7km, high school students from 10km or more, the province has a policy to support arranging food and accommodation to study during the week.
The support level is 930,000 VND/person/month. In case educational institutions do not have sufficient conditions to organize centralized meals and accommodation, students are organized to be picked up and dropped off to school and return home every day.
