A parent with a child carrying a musical instrument or a drawing board walking along a Beijing subway platform or street is a familiar sight on weekends. They are on the way to training schools.
Education of their child has become the most important responsibility of parents who were sent to rural areas for "re-education" during the "Cultural Revolution" from 1966 to 1976.
They lost the chance for university education and now hope their children can receive a better education than they did. As a result, these people now in their forties expose their lime children to early training so that they can enter a prestigious school.
The parents imagine a road to success: from excellent primary and middle schools to an elite university and then to a good job. On average, they may spend about 100 yuan a month on their child’s education.
And what results have these parents obtained
Most of them feel that the large investment has failed to lead to rapid progress in their children’s study. "We seem to be throwing our money away," said one parent.
However, many parents still think that spending more on their child’s schooling will result in high scores. These parents have also introduced a "contract system", which offers rewards for good school grades. More than 80% of parents in families in Chengdu have signed contracts with their children, ac- cording to the Consumers’ Times. The paper notes that the heavy pressure put on children to perform well at school has resulted in a decline in children’s health.
The parents’ investment in their children also includes hiring tutors. A survey of 250 students in Xuzhou found that 10 % of their parents hired tutors. The pay for one tutorial hour is three yuan.
Liberation Daily commented that these parents have too high expectations of their children. Ac- cording to the article, "They are trying to help the young plants grow by pulling them upwards." They ignore their children’s psychology and perhaps will damage the real talents the children possess.