Television programmes during the vacation period are always more entertaining, and many other entertainment activities are open to students at discounted prices.

But not all students are set to enjoy the entertainment on offer.

For Qian Siyuan, a fourth-grader from No. 3 Central Primary School in Zhabei District, this vacation is a busy one.

When asked about her schedule for the summer vacation, the 10-year-old girl said: "My time has been divided into three parts by my mother, time for homework, for violin and for English.

"I have almost no time to play, mum doesn't allow it."

But when she caught her mother's warning glance, she made a face and ran away.

Her mother, Yang, said with pride that her daughter had already reached the seventh level of violin certification and was now busy preparing for the eighth level test in September.

Part of tradition

"I don't think I give too much work to her. You know the old saying 'Practice makes perfect'? How can she succeed without putting in an effort?" she asked.

"I give her 10 minutes (of free time) after dinner and I think that is enough. More spare time means more distractions. She will totally waste her time."

Yang said that about one-fifth of the pupils in her daughter's class had enrolled or would enroll in such vacation classes.

This is a common phenomenon nowadays in Shanghai.

At the gate of the Children's Palace of Zhabei District one sultry Sunday morning, there were nearly 40 or more middle-aged women waiting for their children, who were practising on musical instruments inside.

This "summer art training school" offers a broad choice of classes: calligraphy, painting, piano and many others.

Many parents here think like Yang. They they all believe that attending such classes will help children attain a brighter future. Most of them denied that acquiring certificates was their only goal, although more and more children have been taking such tests in recent years.

At a price

"To get a certificate is great, but not everyone can accomplish that goal... We just want our children to be elegant and resourceful, and that'll be enough," said Li Hua, whose son was among those children.

Li's view is quite in contrast to another mother, also called Yang.

She said she didn't want her son wasting his time sitting in front of a TV screen. "I'd rather he immersed himself in studying these charming melodies than watching those crude television shows," she said.

"My son only has a third level certificate, but it is still a comfort to me."

Though the tuition fees for such training are not low, it seems that none of the parents mind. In this school, the fee is as high as 500 yuan (US$60) for two months - money which could support a local family living under the poverty line for a month.

"The 500 yuan fee is not expensive at all. Yu Lina, a famous violinist, offers a one-hour class for 200 yuan (US$24). If I had the opportunity, I would send my daughter," Yang said.

Surely, nothing can stop these enthusiastic parents.

Wang Aichen, the marketing manager of Only College sponsored by Shanghai Jiaotong University, said that more than 200 children have enrolled in their "Children's English Class", paying 320 yuan (US$40) each in tuition for the summer session.

"Due to the relocation of our school, we saw some decrease in enrolment this year. We had more than 400 pupils last year," he said.

He added that their branch in Pudong District - Kid's Castle, co-sponsored by a Taiwan-based educational institution - had reached full enrolment, although they charged three times more in fees - 960 yuan (US$120) for three months.

"I think most parents have realized the fact that English learning should begin at an early age," he said. "With China's accession to the WTO, English is gradually becoming a basic skill. Everyone clearly sees the fierce competition in the future, no one wants their child to be left behind."

Other schools which offered similar classes for young children, were full, too.. The typical answer from many well-known training schools was: "Sorry, our present class is full, would you mind waiting till August."

Expert advice

Du Yiling, a psychologist, pointed out that the boom om training schools was caused mainly by the employment pressures in today's society.

"All parents want their children to be winners in the future, so they set an earlier starting point for them," she said.

But she reiterated that the main function of the vacation is rest, so parents should arrange classes on the basis that the children are not stressed.

"Such vacation classes can be looked on as a double-edged sword. So the parents should be cautious when registering their children."

Relaxation or recharge remains a controversial question. But there should be a balance between them. "Of course no one wants to see a replay of a tragedy that happened a few years ago, when a child couldn't bear his mother's high expectations and broke down," she added.

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