I refer to the article 'Noisy teachers at seminar set bad example for students' (Education Post, July 6) and strongly agree with Y. L. Li that teachers should act as role models. Pupils are taught to be polite and punctual in kindergarten and primary school. Most of them are reminded to respect and love others. But it seems that they get worse as they grow older. How many of them apply to their daily life what they have learnt? Teachers always claim they have to rush through tight exam syllabuses and don't have time to instil moral values in their students. Unlike academic subjects, moral education should not be confined to classroom learning. Think about the good old days when teachers were strict not only with students but with themselves. They did not simply tell them what to do. Nowadays, students are more disrespectful and less self-disciplined. But have we ever wondered why? Teachers will never convince students to be quiet during assembly or at seminars when they themselves do not know how to show respect for speakers. Neither will they persuade students not to be late when they are not punctual themselves. It is definitely more effective to set a good example than to simply lecture students about attitudes and behaviour. GRACE POW Kowloon
