Children nowadays are going on study tours more frequently and at a younger age, according to a recent report published by the Social Survey Center of China Youth Daily.

The survey polled 1,967 parents with children studying up to high school level.

A total of 64.3 percent said they have sent their children on a study tour at least once. Meanwhile, 26.6 percent had sent their children on an overseas study tour, and 37.8 percent had sent their children on a domestic study tour.

Meanwhile, 26.5 percent sent children above high school level to experience a study tour; 22.7 percent sent children at elementary schools and 22.5 percent sent children who are still in kindergarten.

Different parents hold different views towards such phenomenon, according to the figures.

About 63.3 percent of parents said better family economic conditions mean they can go on more study tours; 50.8 percent said they want their children to be more competitive in the future; and 50.3 percent said they want to invest more in their kids' education.

However, many parents are worried about the disadvantages of going on a study tour at a younger age, according to the figures.

A total of 53.4 percent of the parents said children participating in study tour at too young an age may lack the ability to take good care of themselves; 52 percent said they worry about their kids' safety; and 47.5 percent said young children prefer to entertain themselves rather than learn something new.

Further disadvantages included language barriers, a naive outlook on life, psychological comparison and extra family economic burden.

Meanwhile, parents voiced their opinions on the appropriate age for children to make an overseas study tour independently.

Some 30.2 percent of the parents said children at junior high schools can benefit from overseas study tours; 29.2 percent said it is more suitable for high school students; and 3.5 percent said none of the students at any educational stages are suitable for independent study tours abroad.

Chen Wenjin, associate professor at Wuhan University, central China's Hubei Province, said: "Such tours have provided opportunities for students to learn about and observe the world, which coincides with the policy of the Ministry of Education which encourages elementary and junior students to go on study tours."

"But parents should send their kids to overseas study tours according to the interests of their children and their family's economic status," added Chen.

Besides, Chen suggested that government officials and school teachers should organize students to go on study tours systematically and with clear plans.

(Source: cyol.com / Translated and edited by Women of China)

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