Nie was keen on educational practice and reform, and advocated and participated in the establishment of Xiuning Desheng Luban Woodworking School and Xiuning Desheng Civilian School. Because of the promotion of brand-new educational ideas, he tried to get out of the shadow of exam-oriented education on the basis of conforming to the national educational syllabus. With the concept of "educating people first, then teaching", he popularized the civilian education thought of "reading civilian books, speaking civilian words and being a law-abiding and dedicated civilian in the future" with systematic and effective methods. Four carpentry school graduates went to the society, not only got a good job, but also got wide acclaim from the society. Since the establishment of private schools, there are nearly 200 students in six grades, and the teaching effect and student performance have been well received by the society, education circles and parents. The documentary "School in China", which was filmed by British BBC TV with civilian schools as the material, has been broadcast in 100 countries around the world, causing great repercussions. CCTV, Anhui TV, Nanjing TV, Xinhua News Agency, Outlook Weekly, Southern Weekend, People's Daily and other media reported the teaching reform achievements of woodworking schools and civilian schools. After work, Nie Shengzhe often holds lectures on civilian education in his spare time. In 2008, he gave a lecture on civilian education in Lingnan Lecture Hall in Guangzhou, explaining the importance of civilian education in the development of modern society with the latest educational concepts. The lecture was held in Guangzhou Science and Technology Lecture Hall, attended by many famous people in Guangdong education. The content of the lecture caused a great social shock. The Southern Metropolis Daily published a long report entitled "Our Lack of American Civilian Education", which aroused strong concern from the education circles in China.