Right after the school year ends, many students are enrolled in extra classes in literature, math, English, and more, with tightly packed schedules. What’s notable is that many of these classes are not organized by schools, but rather arranged “voluntarily” by parents. Their common fear: a full summer break might cause children to forget their lessons, fall behind their peers, or lose competitiveness in the coming academic year. This mindset has become so deeply ingrained that for some, a summer without tutoring feels risky, even irresponsible.

Nguyễn Thị Thảo, a parent in Điện Biên Phủ city, Điện Biên province, whose child just finished fifth grade, shared: “I’d love to let my child rest and visit grandparents in the countryside. But when I see other kids taking extra classes, I worry mine will lag behind and feel inferior when school resumes.”

For many parents, summer classes aren’t driven by their children’s desire to learn but by adult calculations, pressured by expectations for academic results, high scores, and future success.

Yet, not all students are eager or ready to hit the books during the summer. Trần Gia Bảo, a seventh grader, sighed: “I’ve been studying all year. In summer, I just want to play, go swimming, play football, and do martial arts. I don’t want more classes. It feels like summer doesn’t exist, we’re always in school.”

This reality reflects a deeper concern: many children are being robbed of their childhood.

From an educational standpoint, Cù Huy Hoàn, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Education and Training, emphasized that summer break is a valuable time for rest, recharging, and life skill development. Forcing children into classes without genuine interest can lead to fatigue, boredom, and even backfire.

As an accomplished teacher with many years of experience working in both remote areas and urban settings, Hoàng Thị Hường from Thanh Trường Primary and Secondary School (Điện Biên Phủ city) shared: “I’ve seen many students return to class after summer break feeling sluggish and dispirited because they had no real time to rest. They study like machines,  lacking enthusiasm, and even motivation”.

Many educators agree: To help children learn better, they must first be allowed to enjoy a real summer with a healthy balance between study and play, academics and life experiences.

On the flip side, some students, especially those in high school preparing for graduation or university entrance exams, actively choose to study in the summer, guided by clear academic goals. But this group shouldn’t be the standard for all age groups.

Another factor pushing parents toward summer tutoring is the practical issue of childcare. With both parents working, many families struggle with who will watch the kids over the long break of 3 months. Enrolling children in tutoring centers, enrichment classes, or life skills programs becomes a way to keep them safe.  Still, between this legitimate concern and a child’s right to rest and play, there must be a balanced solution rather than stuffing summer with non-stop classes.

From a broader perspective, the summer learning trend also raises questions for the education system. Though the Ministry of education and training prohibits public school teachers from holding summer classes, such practices persist under different labels: “knowledge reinforcement,” “skills training,” or “voluntary review”. Many of these sessions have become commercialized, contributing to educational inequality, benefiting only those who can afford it while undermining students’ self-motivation.

As of now, most schools in the province have wrapped up the academic year. According to the Department of Education and Training, nearly 208,000 students across the province will officially begin their summer vacation on June 1. This long-awaited break is more than just time off, it’s a chance to explore and learn in their own way. Whether through tutoring, extracurricular activities, or simply staying home, every child deserves a meaningful summer that reflects their individual needs and interests.

Children need a summer that matches their age, a time to play, explore, and grow emotionally and intellectually. Extra classes, if any, should be a small, thoughtful part of the break, suited to the child’s age, ability, and passions. Parents must act not as enforcers, but as companions, listening, understanding, and asking the right question: Do you want to learn? What do you need this summer?

When children are respected and given choices, their motivation grows, and that is the true foundation for long-term success.

Summer should be a time when kids can fully embrace their childhood, recharge, and return to school excited for what’s next. Summer tutoring isn’t inherently wrong, but it must be the right fit, at the right time, and in the right way. After all, some of life’s most valuable lessons are learned not in the classroom, but in the freedom of a well-lived summer.