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School-owned businesses – some insights from China
01.06.2004
Since the 1980s the Government of China has encouraged schools to run their own businesses to provide an opportunity for pupils to learn practical skills and to boost school funds. Since that date much of the funding of schools' budgets has been transferred to local government, and the contribution from school businesses to school running costs has been substantial. Rural schools receive less government funding per pupil on average, and the impact of successful school businesses is even more important.This article describes the evolution of China's school businesses and gives some examples of school businesses, including some rural schools that have received some assistance from Save the Children UK. Some guidelines are suggested for the successful introduction of such programmes in other countries.