According to Master Pham Thi Phuong Thuc from the Centre for Psychological and Educational Research (Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences), the expectations set by teachers and parents can cause students to feel anxious and stressed. Traditional teaching methods, which focus solely on academic performance without considering students’ psychology and abilities, can lead to negative consequences both physically and mentally.
Excessive pressure may push students toward negative coping mechanisms, leading to declining academic performance, cheating on exams, skipping school, and even an increase in bullying.
Associate Professor, Dr Nguyen Thanh Nam, Vice Rector of the University of Education, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, noted that today’s world is filled with pressure; parents feel pressured, teachers feel pressured, and consequently, children feel pressured too. Therefore, it is crucial for parents and teachers to equip students with the skills to develop their abilities and enhance their resilience, thus helping them face pressure more positively.
Nguyen Thi Hong Thuy, Principal of Tan Tien Secondary School (Chuong My District, Hanoi), emphasised the importance of building a friendly learning environment that encourages students’ initiative and creativity. To reduce stress in learning, teachers should adopt flexible teaching methods, making lessons more engaging and practical. Additionally, organising extracurricular activities, psychological counselling, and career guidance can help students develop their strengths and maintain a balance between academics and life.
Ha Dinh Bon, Vice President of the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Children’s Rights, highlighted that pressure can arise from various causes and lead to serious consequences, affecting children’s physical and mental well-being. If parents force their children to achieve high scores, win first place, or become champions in competitions beyond their capabilities, it can negatively impact their mental health, which may be considered a violation of children’s rights.
However, violations in this area are often abstract and difficult to pinpoint. Sometimes, parents justify their actions as being in the best interest of their children. As a result, children under pressure may suffer because the boundary between care and excessive pressure is thin, making it hard for them to find timely support and understanding.
Education experts suggest that when the learning environment is oriented toward holistic development, while respecting individuality and fostering creativity, students will have opportunities to grow both intellectually and emotionally. Therefore, families, schools, and society must work together to build a positive educational environment where students can learn, explore, and develop according to their abilities, rather than simply chasing academic achievements.
Ha Dinh Bon proposed that the government should continue improving policies and laws on child protection, ensuring that all children’s rights are fully implemented and harmonised. In the education sector, schools must comply with legal regulations on education and child protection, avoiding unnecessary pressure on students and families. Additionally, educational reform should integrate science and technology into teaching.
Furthermore, the government, organisations, and agencies should develop training programmes for parents and children on psychological development, child protection, and education. Families should also understand and uphold children’s rights based on the principle of “Putting children at the centre and giving them the best” while also listening to and responding to their needs.
Parents have the responsibility to nurture and educate their children to become useful members of society, equipping them with skills to adapt to the ongoing scientific and technological revolution.
From the perspective of government education management, Ta Ngoc Tri, Deputy Director of General Education (Ministry of Education and Training), stated: “In recent years, the education sector has reformed the curriculum and textbooks, shifting from knowledge-based teaching to a focus on skills and character development. The Ministry of Education and Training has also launched the movement on building friendly schools and active students. Parents should recognise that students go to school to be happy, not just to achieve high scores. They should focus on their children’s intrinsic progress and well-being rather than academic rankings.”
