The curriculum is increasing, extra classes, foreign languages and homework make many students fall into a learning cycle that lasts from morning to night.
Behind those study hours is no small pressure for parents, who have to both take care of work and accompany their children every day.
For Ms. Trinh Thuy Trang, a warehouse accountant at a small company in Hanoi, the evening after work is never really rest time.
She has three children. The eldest daughter Tuyet Nhung is in 7th grade, and two twin sons have just started 1st grade.
Every evening, after a working day, she continues her second "shift" at home: tutoring her two young children to study, and reminding her older sister to learn English, Chinese, math and complete homework.
Two sons who have just entered 1st grade are getting acquainted with the first letters and calculations.
Exercises that seem simple, but for young children, parents need to sit by their side to guide and remind them little by little. Meanwhile, Tuyet Nhung in middle school also started to face a larger amount of knowledge and a thicker schedule.
Going to work all day, coming home in the evening just wanting to have a little break, but the children still have homework. Two first graders need their mother to tutor them, and the older sister also has a lot to learn. Some days I feel like I'm working an extra shift at home," Ms. Trang shared.
Pressure does not only come from homework. Many parents also worry that their children will fall behind if they do not take extra classes, do not learn foreign languages or cannot keep up with their friends. As a result, children's study schedules are increasingly tight, and the time for playing, exercising and resting is narrowed.
Right from grade 1, many families have expected children to be able to read and write fluently, and do basic calculations. When they go to grade 2, extra classes become a popular choice with many subjects such as math, English or a second foreign language.
Along with prolonged study time, children's health is also something that worries parents. School nearsightedness is increasingly concerned, although it cannot be completely attributed to excessive study.
The habit of looking closely, using electronic devices, exercising less outdoors and genetic factors also play a role.
What is worth thinking about is that in that race, not only children are tired but parents are also under pressure. They both make a living, tutor their children, track scores and find ways to prevent their children from "losing to friends".
Ms. Trang hopes that her children will study well but also have time to play and rest. Because education is not just about scores or completing how many homework assignments.
A 1st grade child needs to learn to read, learn math, but also needs to play. A 7th grade student needs knowledge, but also needs to sleep enough, exercise and have time for their hobbies.
Perhaps what parents want in the end is not for their children to study a lot, but for them to study moderately, improve while still maintaining their health and the joy of childhood.
