BN Vocational School

BN Vocational School (BNVS) in China was established in 2005 by businesswoman Yao Li in response to the enormous migration within China of approximately 200 million rural residents who moved to cities seeking employment following Deng Xiaoping's 1978 reforms. This migration, often illegal under the “hukou” household registration system, left migrants without access to essential services, including education for their children.

BNVS provides free high-school-level vocational education for children of the poorest migrants. The school prepares students for service-sector roles, including hospitality, air conditioning repair, and food service. Funded by various donors, BNVS operates within a challenging environment that presents numerous obstacles including selecting appropriate teaching content, garnering trust in a culture wary of charitable organizations, and securing government cooperation and licensing.

By 2011, Yao Li had expanded BNVS to a network of vocational schools across various cities, securing financial backing from foreign embassies, corporate sponsors, and individual benefactors. The school raised over $3 million annually and established a reputable model NGO operating within China’s complex legal framework.

However, BNVS continues to face substantial dilemmas. These include training students in effective work habits and establishing robust management processes as the organization expands. Additionally, the school must navigate the persistent challenges of working within an often opaque government system, securing ongoing funding, and maintaining the quality and relevance of its educational offerings as it grows.