Therefore, the call of educators and the education department to reduce the burden of homework and unnecessary extracurricular classes, especially for elementary-level students, has had little effect - because teachers and parents dare not or cannot afford to take the risk of their children falling behind their peers. So not only schools, but also parents have to own up to their faults, which have made students' lives one of monotonous drudgery.

More than anyone else, teachers have to take the lead in changing the situation. While arranging for students in lower grades to acquire all the necessary knowledge in class and encouraging them to cultivate extracurricular interests and skills, teachers should also be on the look out for students' hands-on competence. And they should consider any homework that is beyond the capacity of students to complete an unnecessary burden.

The Hangzhou tragedy shows the girl's school and parents both failed to ease her pressure through proper guidance. More importantly, neither her parents nor her teachers tried to read what was going through her young mind.

Children who cannot cope with pressure resort to taking extreme steps. Sadly, this is becoming increasingly true in a society that worships high exam scores. Had the Hangzhou girl's parents thought differently, the tragedy could have been avoided. Let's hope other parents (and teachers) learn a lesson from this sad story.

The author is a writer with China Daily. xiaolixin@chinadaily.com.cn