With his lyrical encouragement, I realised that many problems are very minor. Uncle Jim told us not to always try to lay blame, but to be optimistic, to face and overcome adversity. I want to thank Uncle Jim for his contributions. His death is not a complete end, because we still have his words of encouragement.

Christine Leung Lai-ling,

Yau Ma Tei

Q Should ESF schools come under the direct subsidy scheme?

It is encouraging to see our legislators recognise the part the English Schools Foundation plays in Hong Kong's educational system through their support for continued subvention plus the consensus that is emerging that ESF schools provide good educational value.

The suggestion from legislator Cheung Man-kwong that ESF schools move to direct subsidies is an interesting one and certainly should be looked at in detail, together with other options. For example, a voucher system is also a viable alternative. Whether vouchers are given to all tax-paying residents, all permanent residents or whether it should be a means-tested system would be a matter for debate.

It could also be that, upon investigation, it is decided that ESF schools are unique and deserve a unique category within the Hong Kong portfolio of subvented schools. We must be cautious and not forget that we are talking about education here - not administrative convenience.

What is clear at this point is that the provision of education for English-speaking children is a complex one and that the profile of the typical ESF child is completely different from that in the past. What is also clear is that Hong Kong's well-educated middle classes are looking for more choice when it comes to their children's education.

It is hoped that we are at the beginning of an important community-wide discussion about the provision of education for English-speaking children in Hong Kong and the ESF's place within this system. It is essential that the debate is informed, reasoned and calm. It is also important that we do this properly and in consultation with all stakeholders. To do otherwise would be to fail our children and our children's children.

Sarah Rigby and Ana Wei,

ESF Joint Council of PTAs

On other matters ...

We refer to the comments from T.J. Carey in the Talkback column on November 23.

Tung Chung Crescent estate was completed and has been occupied since 1999. Throughout the past five years, the MTR Corporation and our joint-venture developer have been and will continue to attend to any legitimate building defects.

Water leakages were found at some units at Tung Chung Crescent after Typhoon Dujuan, the most severe typhoon in recent years, hit Hong Kong in September last year.

Reports of water leakages were followed up by the corporation and our joint-venture partner.

Rectification works for legitimate cases were carried out accordingly.

Regarding the foul smell in the toilets, we would like to clarify that the sewage system at Tung Chung Crescent was designed and constructed in compliance with the Buildings Ordinance. The foul smell can be alleviated by proper maintenance of toilet drainage in individual bathrooms.

Miranda Leung, MTRC

The message from Chief Superintendent Ma Wai-luk (Talkback, November 27) failed to ease my worry over the claims of police tailgating and entrapment raised by reader Wayne Chu on November 18.

I seriously doubt the logic of deploying uniformed officers in an unmarked vehicle, as claimed by Mr Ma. Motorists will simply slow down when seeing uniformed officers approaching, no matter whether they are in a marked or unmarked vehicle.

Meanwhile, I believe that motorists will surely speed up when tailgated by someone else.

It seems to me that the police are simply trying to tell us that Mr Chu was lying, because Mr Ma implies there were no plainclothes officers at the scene, and nor did any police officers engage in tailgating.

Lau Chuen, Ap Lei Chau