Student filmmakers from New York University in Shanghai take us inside the Yu Xin Elementary School. In the past 15 years, 1 out of every 10 Chinese has migrated within the country. As a result, it is estimated that 20 million children live with their grandparents or other relatives in their home villages. Many are poorly supervised and receive only rudimentary education. Even if they migrate with their parents, the children are denied state-sponsored healthcare and education because of their parents’ migrant status.

“It’s a story about a school for the children of migrant workers in Shanghai. Because most migrant workers come from China’s impoverished countryside they aren’t allowed to register as residents of Shanghai, and have no access to services such as health care or education for their children.

This school was founded by a woman from Shanghai who felt migrant kids should have a chance at an education. The government donated the building, which is in the oldest section of Shanghai, and a few companies, notably HSBC, have donated equipment. We did this as a pro-bono film to help the school.” Eric Randsdell, Executive Producer

Migrant School was directed by Celeste Hughey and produced by Walter Scarborough

Learn more about the New York University program in Shanghai.

Courtesy of New York University / Fly Film

Footage © Television Broadcasts Limited 2007