bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Letters

Liberal studies aids critical thinking skills
Liberal studies provides an ideal and practical platform for the discussion of controversial issues in our society.
However, when it comes to the complex political situation we have seen unfolding in Hong Kong in the last two weeks, with various dynamic forces playing, how should teachers balance their multiple roles so that they can live up to their professional responsibilities and give guidance to students?
I have been teaching liberal studies since the introduction of the Diploma of Secondary Education.
I am passionate about what I do and hope that I can bring out the best in students.
Drawing a line between our personal lives and our working lives is important, even though the same underlying values affect both areas for teachers.
We are helping to educate the leaders of tomorrow.
Our job is to inspire our youngsters and develop their critical thinking skills.
Students can then make better-informed decisions by studying and understanding different issues.
We face a turbulent and uncertain environment and they will have to find their own anchors. However, this should be possible if they have confidence in themselves.
Teachers must set high standards when it comes to integrity and accountability.
I am optimistic that with the further development of liberal studies, young people will be better equipped to develop their social perspectives and make sound judgments regarding local, national and global issues.
Ivy Lau, head of liberal studies, Creative Secondary School
 
Pan-dems have failed electorate
As one of the silent majority of Hong Kong, I am compelled to ask the pan-democratic lawmakers to step down.
I could tolerate their attitude before the launch of the Occupy Central movement, but after what has happened I doubt if Hong Kong voters will be so generous as to offer them a second chance at the next Legislative Council elections.
Instead of carrying out their public duties to work together in order to make Hong Kong a better place, they backed activities that have led to the disruption of this city and put obstacles in the way of its further development.
They had a duty to citizens who, after all, pay their salaries.
They backed the protests with enthusiasm and in the process helped to undermine law and order in the city.
This enabled young people to get the upper hand and use their considerable amount of free time to set up roadblocks, confront police and challenge authority.
There were millions of us who did not like what was happening, but when did our pan-democratic lawmakers speak up for us?
People will not forget the damage done to Hong Kong's community and economy by the Occupy Central and student protests.
The damage that has been done is irreversible.
Lau Fung-wai, Kennedy Town
 
Clean air in Central offers positive lesson
As a frequent visitor to Hong Kong over the past 30 years, I noticed during the first week of the protests what a delight it was moving around the Central and Admiralty areas.
There were no cars, just lovely pedestrian precincts (roads) and a much more people-friendly area.
Maybe the government will make Central a restricted area for private vehicles, like London's inner city, in the future.
In this regard, the demonstrations in the city seem to offer a positive lesson to be learned.
Chris Baker, Sydney, Australia
 
Alliance must act quickly to stop extremists
A number of countries are now joined in an alliance in an effort to defeat the group Islamic State.
Given the threat posed by these extremists to the countries where they are operating and neighbouring nations, I think it is good that governments are coming together and bombing these terrorists from the air and the sea.
Islamic State fighters have committed many atrocities including murdering hostages.
The only downside to more armies opening new fronts against Islamic State is that we will see a greater number of displaced people who will become refugees.
Countries ranged against Islamic State must recognise that, as well as using military force against it, they have to deal effectively with refugees and make it a priority to settle them.
I fail to understand the logic behind the actions of Islamic State.
A country's government pleads for the life of a hostage, but that person is killed anyway. This then makes that nation more determined than ever to destroy Islamic State.
I do hope it will not be too long before we see the destruction of this organisation so that its reign of killing comes to an end.
Carlisa Yeung Tsz-yan, Tai Wai 
 
Poor manners linked to lack of education
Comments have been made about the poor etiquette of mainland tourists, given that growing numbers of visitors are coming to Hong Kong from north of the border.
They have been accused, for example, of littering, shouting when it is inappropriate to do so and eating pot noodles in hotel lobbies. Their behaviour has angered Hongkongers and some comments have been very strongly worded.
However, I think there is a lack of understanding about mainland visitors and we have to recognise that some have had a low level of education.
Also, my experiences have been different from those critics. I was standing on a bus with an elderly woman next to me. A lady who was speaking in Putonghua got up and gave her seat to the old woman. Clearly, not all mainlanders are rude and I think it comes down to their level of education.
If I had not had much schooling, then I might also be rude. I think that Chinese tourists just have to be given time and they will learn to behave better when they are abroad.
Also, just because you have made enough money to travel abroad does not necessarily mean you are well-educated.
For Hongkongers to take a superior attitude towards mainlanders is very unfair.
Instead of being confrontational, we should try to be more sympathetic towards these tourists and help them to change. As China continues to develop and education standards improve, we will see more visitors with better manners.
Seer Chen, Lai Chi Kok
 
Environment is a global responsibility
There is growing concern globally about the environmental problems that the world faces.
However, there is insufficient cooperation between nations to deal with these issues effectively, even though the threats that we face are severe.
For example, taking concerted action to counter the thinning of the ozone layer can only be possible if governments work together.
Individuals must adopt the same attitude.
It is ridiculous that many of us are so selfish that we put material things, such as money and property, before the need to be more environmentally friendly.
We should all be thinking about how our lifestyles can damage the environment.
I fail to understand why so many countries and so many individuals are unable to grasp the fact that we need to take measures to protect the earth, rather than put it at risk.
Nations must do more, such as by reducing emissions from factories. However, individuals can play their part.
In Hong Kong, for example, people need to switch off air conditioners when they are not needed.
If more people make the effort, then we have a better chance of reversing some of the damage that has already been done.
In the fight for a better environment with reduced levels of pollution, we should see ourselves as global citizens rather than citizens of a single nation.
We also have to appreciate that this effort to protect the planet will take a long time, as destructive practices have been carried out for decades, and it will mean making some sacrifices, but as the saying goes, "no pain, no gain".
We all have to recognise that our own destiny is in our hands.
Cheng Ka-kit, Hung Hom
 
Food bank would help reduce waste
I agree with previous correspondents who have suggested that hotels should give away unused food to poor citizens at the end of each day.
If all hotels in Hong Kong adopted this strategy, we would see the volumes of food waste generated every day reduced.
This is important given that our landfills are nearing capacity.
It is not as if the hotels need this food. They will not use it the next day, but will simply throw it out.
It surely makes more sense to donate it to the needy in our society.
It is such a shame to see perfectly edible food go to waste.
Joining this kind of food donation scheme is also good business, as it will be seen as embracing corporate social responsibility and will enhance the reputation of hotels. This could attract more customers.
Choki Chung Cho-kiu, Hung Hom


Letters to the Editor, October 11, 2014

A fighter from Islamic State in Mosul, Iraq. Photo: Reuters

Opinion

Liberal studies provides an ideal and practical platform for the discussion of controversial issues in our society.


Letters to the Editor, October 11, 2014

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Liberal studies provides an ideal and practical platform for the discussion of controversial issues in our society.

Liberal studies provides an ideal and practical platform for the discussion of controversial issues in our society.