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Better approach to learning biology
 I am writing to express my opinion on biology, an elective subject in the New Senior Secondary curriculum. 
Many students think the subject only requires them to memorise all the key terms and concepts. But I think this shouldn't be the case, as biology also encourages critical thinking. 
For example, answering questions about biological history requires students to examine social issues and scientific development. Students can buy exercise books with answers to help train them to think more critically. Students should also read more about biotechnology to enrich their scientific knowledge.
 I think biology is a difficult subject. So try harder and get better results.
Janice Wong Sin-yan  
Kicking out the Kong Kids' habits
 A generation of children in the city are dubbed 'Kong Kids', who represent the 'three lows': low emotional quotient, low survival skills and low resilience.
The term Kong Kids describes those born in the late 1990s or 2000s who come from wealthy backgrounds. They are impolite, often take things for granted and forget the importance of courteous words like 'thank you' or 'sorry'.
They enjoy attention because deep down they lack confidence. 
Further, they don't know how to take care of themselves. Some primary students don't even know how to tie their shoelaces. They rely on their helpers or parents. Kong Kids are spoiled by their parents, and I think this practice should stop. If their children do something wrong, mums and dads should tell them so instead of allowing their bad behaviour to continue.
The children should also learn to be more independent. If they do this, hopefully all Kong Kids will become good children.
Cheung Lok-man, SKH Tsang Shiu Tim Secondary School
The dangers of 'copy and paste'
 In academic circles, each research paper or essay should be original. But sadly, there are lots of cases where Chinese students, professors and even the heads of universities copy other people's work.
For example, two men, one of them a former lecturer from Jinggangshan University in Jiangxi province, wrote more than 70 essays. However, the international Journal of Synthetic Crystals deleted all of their essays because they were faking data and copying others' work.
 Another case is more serious. Shanghai Jiao Tong University said it had designed a microchip called Hanxin, in which the central government had invested billions of yuan. But later it was found that the microchip was actually made by Motorola.
Why are they so dishonest? The main reason is money. Professors can get hundreds of yuan for each article they publish in a journal.
But making money from research is not the spirit of being a scholar. Their job should be to find the truth so we can understand the mysteries of the universe. 
To change this belief, university heads should set a good example. The government should also make laws to punish plagiarism - the copying of others' work and passing it off as your own.
If nothing is done, China will lose respect in the academic community.
Fung Chung-ho, Maryknoll Fathers' School  
Keeping things simply Chinese
 I would like to react to residents' anger over the simplified Chinese menus of a branch of agnes b. cafe. 
The cafe was accused of discrimination against Hongkongers, who prefer traditional Chinese characters. The cafe apologised for this incident.
As a Hongkonger, I accept the use of simplified Chinese in shops and restaurants because it is mainlander-friendly. I believe this can create a good impression for mainland tourists, who boost our economy by shopping here.
Also, I think the discrimination charge is nonsense because I'm sure Hongkongers are able to read and write in simplified Chinese. 
Take Macau for example. It uses traditional Chinese as its official language, just like Hong Kong. But most shops, restaurants, hotels and casinos in Macau use simplified Chinese characters because a lot of mainlanders visit the city. People in Macau don't complain about this, so why should we?
Dorothy Hon Wing-hin, Tak Nga Secondary School



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