Many projects are behind schedule
Cao Bang is focusing efforts to accelerate the construction progress of 11 inter-level boarding schools in border communes to ensure their commissioning before the 2026-2027 school year.
However, reality shows that most projects are still behind schedule compared to the set plan.
According to the Investment and Construction Project Management Board of Cao Bang province, phase 1 deploys the construction of 11 primary and secondary boarding schools in border communes.
By May 24, all 11 projects had completed the design dossiers for ground leveling, foundation and body of the project.
Among these, only 2 projects in Tra Linh and Ha Lang communes basically meet the schedule according to the plan. Many items have been constructed to the stage of completing the 2nd and 3rd floors, roofing the attic or installing formwork beams for the 4th floor.
Four projects in Dam Thuy, Quang Trung, Quang Han and Tong Cot communes have only partially met the progress, while the remaining 5 projects in Duc Long, Lung Nam, Truong Ha, Phuc Hoa and Dinh Phong are still behind schedule.
The total capital allocated for projects in 2026 is more than VND 1,737 billion. By the end of May 2026, the disbursed value reached more than VND 163.7 billion, equivalent to 9.42% of the assigned capital plan.
Records of Lao Dong Newspaper reporters on the 10th and 12th of June at 11 construction sites show that, in addition to the Tra Linh project reaching about 55% of the volume and Ha Lang reaching 38%, the remaining projects are facing difficulties in progress.
At the Quang Han inter-level boarding school project, with a total investment of 190 billion VND, the construction progress as of June 9 has only reached about 18%. The project is currently basically completing the foundation and is deploying the construction of the 1st floor.
Representatives of the contractor consortium including Dong Duong Co., Ltd. and Quang Hung Co., Ltd. said that the construction process encountered difficulties due to unfavorable geological conditions.
Manpower shortage
During the actual implementation process, the construction unit discovered mud pocket terrain. This type of terrain was not identified during geological survey drilling, forcing additional foundation treatment and excavation of weak waste soil affecting project progress.
However, the contractors affirmed that they will focus resources and strive to complete the basic items before August 30 to serve the new school year.
According to Mr. Do Kien Cuong - Head of Project Management Department 2, Investment and Construction Project Management Board of Cao Bang province, the biggest difficulty currently is the shortage of skilled labor.
There are projects where contractors have to pay more than 1 million VND per working day to retain human resources, but it is still very difficult to recruit," Mr. Cuong said.
Faced with the risk of many projects being behind schedule, Chairman of Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee Le Hai Hoa has just sent a letter of encouragement and called on contractors to accelerate the construction of 11 inter-level boarding schools in the area.
According to the Chairman of Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee, the border school construction campaign has entered the final sprint phase, but many projects have not yet reached the committed progress.
He requested contractors, design consulting units and supervision consultants to review all resources, mobilize the best cadres, engineers and construction teams for the projects.
Not waiting. Not holding back. Not doing it in the style of keeping the normal pace," the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized in a letter to construction units.
Previously, in May 2026, Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee issued two consecutive telegrams requesting the entire project to switch to an emergency construction status during the rainy season.
The province established the Campaign Command in the Provincial Investment and Construction Project Management Board, assigning Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Vu Dinh Quang to directly direct, coordinate and handle arising difficulties.
Contractors are required to organize construction according to the "3 shifts, 4 teams" plan, mobilize maximum manpower and equipment, and at the same time develop weather response scenarios to ensure the goal of completing 11 schools before August 30, 2026.
In parallel with accelerating the construction progress, Cao Bang province also directed the preparation of a team of teachers, facilities and teaching equipment so that schools can go into operation immediately after completion, avoiding the situation where the project is completed but cannot be operated.
