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SCMP Reporter

Lifeguards' strike put lives at risk

Some of Hong Kong's lifeguards went on strike  recently   to protest against outsourcing lifeguard services.

They were afraid outsourcing would mean that they would earn less money and some of them might get laid off. Although the public strongly criticised their actions, we must listen to their concerns.

Hong Kong lifeguards are treated differently from those in other countries where people respect them like they do the  police and firemen.

Our authorities should improve the lifeguards' skills.

While a  strike can vent dissatisfaction, I think the lifeguards should also have considered the swimmers' safety because this is their responsibility.

Chan Ka-ki

Ju Ching Chu Secondary  School (Kwai Chung)

Restaurant owners  must pay staff

With the economic downturn, many restaurants have closed.

Sadly, some restaurant directors did not pay their staff. Recently, a restaurant director was jailed for one month for failing to pay his staff.

Company directors must understand the importance of responsibility.

In my opinion, every employer should pay their employees on time.

To make a company successful, co-operation between employers and employees is very important.

I also think it is selfish for restaurant directors who closed the restaurants to just  walk away.

Ada Kwong Lok-man

Ju Ching Chu  Secondary School

History lost on

Kowloon streets

Recently, I read a book about Kowloon streets.

I learned about the history of the streets and the meaning of their names.

I can imagine what the streets must have looked like from the book.

Hong Kong has changed so much. I can't recognise its old face now.

Some streets were destroyed in the war and some were demolished during the city's redevelopment.

I need to know more about Hong Kong's history because I am a Hong Kong citizen.

We need to protect the old buildings too.

Emily Leung

Pooi To Middle School

Snail mail mates

While most of us make new friends on ICQ and MSN, there's  another way to make new friends - writing letters.

Writing snail mails is  more meaningful than writing e-mails.  The best way to keep in touch and stay friends is to write letters to each other.

The most important  advantage is that your writing skills and English will improve.

You will also have foreign friends who can share their culture with you. Perhaps, you will see them in person some day too.  I already have two pen-pals from Finland and Germany.

Find a pen-pal now!

Angel

Principal impressions

When I was studying in the lower forms, I seldom met my school principal, and I thought he looked very strict and too busy.

The situation did not change until the first term of Form Four  when I saw my principal more frequently. I still didn't talk to him much, though.

One day, my class teacher told our class that the principal was going to have lunch with us. It was an honour.  I  couldn't believe that I could have lunch with the principal!

After I had lunch with him twice, I discovered that he is not only kind, but also cares about  us.

He is a very good principal.

Ip Lai-yu

Shun Lee Catholic  Secondary School

Nurses should

learn as they work

We can't train our nurses

only using theory from books and university lectures. Apprenticeship   is also  important.

If  nursing students can observe and practise, they will get more experience and do better in real cases. This will improve the quality of nurses.

Not only nursing students need training, but trainers do too.

If trainers provide more training to interns and let them learn from different kinds of cases, they would be well-equipped themselves and become more competitive in society.

It is important that our nurses and trainers are well-trained and respected.

Law Nim-chi

Ju Ching Chu Secondary  School (Kwai Chung)

Ozone depletion

The ozone layer is located in the upper atmosphere surrounding Earth and protects life from the damaging ultraviolet light emitted by the sun.

I was  very upset when I found out that the depletion of this layer is getting worse. There is a hole in the ozone layer which is getting bigger and bigger.

Without protection from ozone, we will suffer from skin cancer if we stay  in the sun for too long.

The main  cause of the damage to the ozone

layer is the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

We need to reduce the usage of CFC products in our daily life.

I will stop using hair spray and I will also ask my friends not to use them because sprays contain CFCs.

I think the government should control the importation of spray products into Hong Kong to decrease their usage.

Hong Kong citizens can still live normally if they use less spray products.

If you want to kill a cockroach, you can use a slipper to kill it. Try not to use insecticide.

Why use something that is harmful to the environment and your health?

Please try your best to protect the earth and provide a comfortable world for our grandchildren!

Miko Lam

St Mary's Canossian College



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