INCREASING the teacher to pupil ratio is one effective way of helping to curb the rising number of student suicide. In addition, the Government should organise more programmes to educating the public, especially parents, as well the students. Many parents have shown themselves to be wholly inadequate when it comes to handling their children's problems. Instead of resorting to patient and mature discussion, their first reaction very often is to scold their children. LIBBY CHAN St Gloria College Classmate bullied I HAVE a tale of woe about a classmate of mine who is always bullied by his peers. They always attack and hit him and the poor fellow is not brave enough to resist. His tormentors are like crazed animals. After they hit him, they always threaten the boy not to report to the teacher. I think my classmate should tell the teacher or his parents about what is happening. W.P. TWGHs Yau Tze Tin Memorial College Sheer ignorance THERE has always been this misconception that studying in the arts stream is easier than the science stream. The other is the belief in the superiority of science education because it hones the analytical skill whereas arts only requires memorising. I beg to disagree because I think arts subjects also require an ability to analyse. For example, in History you need to analyse the facts of events and not just memorise the details. LOLLIPOP Leung Shek Chee College Tycoon wrong IN a recent article in the South China Morning Post (November 25, 1992), local tycoon Philip Kwok expressed his fears that the continuing row between Britain and China over the Governor's proposed democratic reform will result in social and economic upheaval. Is change such a troublesome thing? We face change in our life. The reason Hongkong has become an international financial and commercial success has a close relationship with the ability of the people to adapt to change. CHARLES LI TWGHs C.M.T. College Very unethical I AM very angry that the ''ghost story'' about the KCRC advertisement not only became widespread in school recently, but also my ethics teacher made it worse by exaggerating the rumour. The teacher even showed a videotape of the ad in class! ANGRY Nam Wah Catholic Secondary School Recruit more THE ratio of one social worker to 1,000 students is too high. Pupils who are saddled with personal problems need someone to share their burdens, and the natural person to turn to at school is the social worker; more such professionals are needed. LOVELY GIRL Shun Lee Catholic Secondary School Inconsistent sister MY elder sister seems to be proud of the fact she is very devoted to my younger sister. She helps with her homework and then starts blaming us for not doing our share. One moment she will boast that she has done something good for the younger sister and the next she switches on the TV set loudly, not caring whether that will disturb the peace and quiet needed for homework. Perhaps I rather selfishly entered into a quarrel with her, resulting in my parents scolding me! But why am I unjustly getting the blame? SANDY CHAN Helen Liang Memorial Secondary School (Sha Tin) Foul play by team JUDGES are there to ensure fair play and to see that the rules are followed in any competition. But this was not my experience at the recent inter-school life-saving competition organised by the Hongkong Schools Sports Association. In the 4 x 50 m event, although I feel the winning team broke the rules, they were not disqualified. This is unfair to the second and third-placed teams. IRENE LAM A cunning move DEMOCRACY-lovers are being exploited by the Governor, Mr Chris Patten, for his ''democracy'' proposal. He will be breaking the Basic Law if his proposals are carried out. By seeking support overseas the Governor is exerting pressure on the Chinese. This is unfair to the Chinese Government; I appreciate and support the principles held by the Chinese. MION LEE HKSYC and IA Chan Nam Chong Memorial College