With today's worldwide high unemployment, there is no shortage of good teachers who want to come to work in Hong Kong. In fact, the talk on the street is that, in reality, ESF teachers don't want to leave. They earn and save several times more than they would in their own countries.

So I urge them to be reasonable and join locals in helping Hong Kong overcome an economically difficult time. In the end, if we all share the responsibility of pay cuts, it will benefit everyone.

Name and address supplied

On the question of whether ESF teachers should take a pay cut, can I suggest, with respect, this is a question for the customer rather than for the general public.

I am both a parent and a teacher within the ESF. In the former capacity, I was neither informed nor consulted during the processes of the pay review.

Ultimately, it is parents who will decide, through market forces, whether they are prepared to pay for the number and quality of teachers that they presently enjoy.

In times of salary deflation and erosion of the ESF's government subsidy, it is to the parents that the question of the appropriate mix of cost and quality should be directed. Their decision should be based on rational calculation and access to information.

Suffice it to say that an international standard of education requires an international standard of teachers.

It is in the world market that the ESF will bid for its employees. Parents should understand that at a time of currency depreciation, education cuts and the possibility of Sars returning, the ability to recruit experienced and talented staff could be impaired if a 10 per cent salary reduction is offered to new staff.

Teachers, however, need to understand that in an environment where the government subsidy is being reduced, and where their customers may be seeing salary deflation, a pay freeze will likely lead to falling enrolment and job losses.

Removing support for extra-curricular activities will also worsen the product and likely reduce demand for it. In this issue, as in others that are similar, a little bit of common sense should prevail.

The function of the market is ultimately to meet the needs of the consumer, not the producer (bosses and employees).

So my response to the question is to ask the customer rather than have recourse to public opinion, which is notoriously fickle and ill-informed.

Chris Forse, Mid-Levels

Q What do you think Hong Kong's New Year resolutions should be?

The year past was full of sadness. Sars, great wars in the world, terror attacks, natural disasters and tension between the mainland and Taiwan make most of us worry about our future. We have to learn how to be more optimistic.

After the attack of Sars, we all learnt a lesson. The cost is so great that we cannot afford a second outbreak. In the New Year, we should bear in mind that keeping personal hygiene means not only protecting our health, but also the public's. Health is most important in our life, without which we can enjoy nothing.

Second, we should be more determined to strive for true democracy. Hongkongers should unite and tell the mainland government that what we want is a representative government, not a figurehead from the mainland ruining our home.

Joyce Chan Chung-yan, Tsuen Wan

Q Should village schools with low enrolment be forced to close?

Students living in remote areas should have an equal chance of receiving education in a school near their home. Although Hong Kong is a small place, travelling around is still inconvenient and time-consuming.

It is cruel to ask little children to travel a long way every day. Moreover, many living on the islands or in rural areas are not very rich. Travel expenses are a heavy burden to them.

Village schools still have their value and make a contribution to society. Children living in villages are often more active and creative. They may find it difficult to adapt to city life. Village schools, with low teacher-student ratios, guarantee adequate time with teachers. Students may also be used to the flexible schedule.

Students and new arrivals with lower academic ability can receive more attention from teachers, thus improving their standards more effectively and quickly. If children are forced to shift to a crowded environment at an early age, they easily get depressed and feel left behind.

Name and address supplied

On other matters ...

In the light of the MTR arson incident, all public transport companies should thoroughly review their contingency plans or map out further security measures to deal with any disaster.

I was shocked to hear that passengers cannot enjoy radio broadcasts inside MTR stations and compartments. In this age of communication, a smooth flow of information is essential as the world is changing every second.

Name and address supplied