Children are constantly learning and developing. It has often been suggested that youngsters should be able to freely enjoy their time after school, whereas some critics of this argue that they need to spend time doing house chores or participating in work. Personally speaking, I would say both arguments have validity; however, I would lean toward the latter.
Some argue that childhood is pivotal for children to find what they want to become in the future. Taking this into consideration, when children are off, it is important to allow as many of them as possible to experience a wide range of activities which satisfy their interests. If a school pupil is inclined to do outdoor activities, for example, parents should have them be involved in different types of sports until they find their taste. This could give them an insight into what they want to achieve in years to come.
On the other side of the argument is the consideration that children should be well-prepared for adulthood. While learning basic knowledge related to school subjects, they can also learn another important element - responsibility. For instance, as tired as they might be, preparing meals for much younger siblings on a daily basis gives them a sense of duty. Similarly, a student with a part-time job can develop basic concepts such as how to behave responsibly, because they have to cooperate with other people and show up on time.
In conclusion, it seems to me that both arguments have merit. While it is true that children might benefit from using their spare time to discover interests, it is also true that they can learn the qualities needed to succeed as an adult if they have additional duties. On balance, I would say I subscribe more to this second view as I believe the school years should act as a stepping stone to make each student an adult with a sense of duty.