School's out! But for some Chinese kids the work never ends

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Have you ever wondered just how busy a nine-year-old’s schedule can be?

For some kids in China the summer break isn't just about relaxing and having fun with friends.

It can be full of classes and training, rivaling a regular semester for dawn-to-dusk activity.

Take Li Xingze from Tai’an in eastern China’s Shandong Province for example.

He attends up to nine classes in different subjects within two days, in temperatures reaching almost 35 degrees Celsius.

Photo: www.dzwww.com

The long day starts with swimming class at 8:30 a.m. and the plan was to learn butterfly stroke.

“It’s just one of the basic life skills to practice swimming,” said his mother.

Then it was Chinese kung fu, which Li has been practicing for two years to strengthen his waist and legs.

“It will improve his physical fitness,” said his trainer.

Photo: www.dzwww.com

Li used to have a role in a TV soap opera and his mother continues to train him in this area. He has to attend a model training class to improve his “acting skill” and “temperament” in general.

Photo: www.dzwww.com

After a short lunch break, Li reluctantly began writing class which appeared to be his least favorite.

“This class was forced on me by my mom,” said Li. “My favorite is kung fu class.”

Later, Li rushed to his broadcasting and hosting course, where he was seen practicing pronunciation, as well as posture and smiling.

Photo: www.dzwww.com

Classes in math, English and vocal music occupied the morning of the second day with his final lesson being in comic dialogue.

His extra education has cost his family thousands of yuan but his mother believes “it’s to practice his spirit of hardship.”

Photo: www.dzwww.com

“He seldom plays video games or watches TV,” she said. “He just doesn’t have time.”

Li knows nothing about popular smartphone video game “Honor of Kings”.

“It’s always a good thing to learn, while trying to learn everything at one time may lead to nothing in the end,” commented @Yuesuihongshanwu on Weibo.

“Parents are the ones who need to be trained and educated the most,” said @Laiziwoxin218_.

There is no general consensus on whether after-school schedules do children any extra good, but there is always a line between a well-balanced childhood and an overburdened one.

How did you spend your summer break when you’re young? Lazing on the beach? Or stuck in the classroom? Share your story with us.