Parents take leave from work to accompany their children to university.

They hang around the campus because they are worried how their children will adapt to the new environment.

I have also heard about mainland parents who take their children to public examinations.

Then they wait outside the exam centre until their children finish the paper.

Under China's one-child policy, I realise that parents have high expectations of their children.

But overprotective parents can ruin their children's lives.

Many Hong Kong parents are also concerned about their children's future.

So they send their children to extra-curricular activities and tutorial classes in order to enhance their knowledge and equip them for future challenges. The children have no freedom; they are controlled by their parents.

Parents should allow their children to be more independent.

University students are mature enough to handle their own affairs. If young people cannot adapt to living alone, how can they become leaders of the future?

Koko Choi

Is wrong English a sign of the times?

I recently visited Hollywood Plaza, where I saw the word 'disable' on the door of the toilet reserved for handicapped people.

I knew there was something odd about the sign at the shopping mall in Diamond Hill.

The next day, I asked my English teacher, Mr Siu, about it. He said the correct word should be 'disabled'.

It is ridiculous for Hollywood Plaza - where celebrities perform at weekends - to make such a mistake. It should be corrected without delay.

I have also seen many other careless mistakes while walking along the streets.

Some boards read 'bewear' instead of 'beware', or 'flour' for 'floor'.

English is a very important language nowadays.

Such sub-standard English should not appear in this international city.

Lai yan-ki

Cheung Chuk Shan College

Volleyball is an exciting sport

There is a popular belief that only timid people play volleyball.

I don't agree. Volleyball is the most exciting sport I have ever played.

A lot depends on teamwork and there should be good communication among team members.

All six players on a team should have a good technique. Physical strength, offence and defence are also crucial.

In volleyball, there are no strong or weak teams. Any team can pull off an upset, so it's an exciting sport.

Wong Chun-hoi

S.K.H. Lui Ming Choi Secondary School

Act now and discover what you don't know

I am writing in response to the article, 'A boring life stops when you start trying' (Young Post, October 16).

I strongly agree that trying is the first step to success. You can never get a positive result without perseverance.

Inventors, such as Thomas Edison and Isaac Newton, were determined to succeed. So they never stopped trying.

Without Edison, we wouldn't have the light bulb, while Newton discovered the law of gravity.

Many teenagers refuse to try because they don't want to face failure or take any risks. Although we may fail many times before we get the right result, we can learn a lot in the process.

Teenagers are creative and energetic.

As we grow older, we may not be able to take risks.

It is important to grab every opportunity when we are young so that we don't have any regrets later in life.

Act now to discover things you don't know about.

Chui Yee-man

Our Lady of the Rosary College

Monkey business causes chaos

Wild monkeys are posing a threat to some Hong Kong residents.

They can be seen near housing estates and schools, probably looking for food.

Recently, I saw a monkey near our school for the first time.

People were surprised as the animal followed a housewife who was scared and angry.

There was a taxi between them and the monkey seemed to be playing 'hide and seek' with the woman.

Then the animal suddenly started crawling towards the school. There was chaos as the students ran inside.

It entered the premises and jumped on the hand rail of a staircase.

Fortunately, two of our teachers were able to drive the uninvited 'visitor' away.

After that, everything returned to normal.

Tsoi Yee-man

Shun Lee Catholic Secondary School

Grandpa's quick thinking saves life

One morning, my grandfather came to my home.

My parents had gone to work, so we were all alone.

My grandfather has a good sense of humour, so we played together.

Then we went down to the garden to play hide and seek.

I suddenly felt very sick. My grandfather quickly took me to the hospital.

I had apparently lost consciousness. When I 'woke up' the next day, my parents told me that my grandfather had saved my life by rushing me to hospital without delay.

Thank you, grandfather!

Sin Yat-hong

Fight corruption and restore image

Corruption has become a serious problem in many Asian countries.

There have been newspaper reports about bribery scandals on the mainland, in Taiwan and in Thailand.

According to one article, a Chinese man, who was in jail for transferring public funds to his company, had given money to prison wardens so that he could get special treatment.

I believe everyone should be equal before the law. Corruption will damage a country's reputation and badly affect progress.

I think the mainland government should set up a body similar to Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption to protect its people.

Carmen Chun

Our Lady of the Rosary College

Teachers should wear casual clothes

Many teachers wear casual clothes to school these days.

This can lead to a more relaxed atmosphere in the classroom, while the student-teacher relationship could be enhanced.

Those who wear formal attire may impress some students and school authorities, but it does not mean that they are good teachers.

They may also be regarded as too serious by the students who will then try to keep their distance from the teacher.

It is much better for teachers to wear casual clothes to school.

Wong Hei-wa

Chinese Foundation Secondary School