Nowadays, the reputation of full-time study in primary, secondary, and high school is falling sharply due to the restriction of children’s spare time that is spent on their own interests. It is considered that long-hour education should be had by people under 18 years old; nevertheless, from my own experience in Mongolia, I firmly believe that this educational system was inappropriate for us.
First of all, it is such a common idea among Asian parents that the more their children attend classes regularly, do their homework well, and get good marks on every exam, the wealthier they live. Additionally, they always want their kids to have to go on academic pathways that lead them to a noble life out of a desire not to become a vocational workforce.
However, the parents’ wishes might kill their children’s own interests, such as drawing and painting anything they want with their beautiful imaginations and having musical instruments to play their favorite songs. Most Asian caregivers ignore other types of knowledge. As a consequence, the kids have a strong tendency to feel bored and dissatisfied in life even if their lives are going well financially.
In my view, our lives are filled with happiness instead of wealth; in other words, we prefer doing whatever we have interest than being forced into full-time education until 18 can limit young people’s ability to explore their talents in arts, sports, or vocational skills. While academic learning is valuable, it should not be the only path to success. In Mongolia, many thrive in music, wrestling, or horse racing—fields that do not require strict schooling but still contribute to society.
In conclusion, education should be flexible, allowing students to choose paths that match their interests. Instead of enforcing full-time study for all, a balanced system that nurtures diverse talents would lead to a happier and more fulfilled generation.