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Nicolas Wong Hei, 17

Sing Yin Secondary School

Yes, but only in certain situations. Not all secondary students are  capable of taking up part-time work as well as study. Only senior students who really need a part-time job should get one.

Some students have no choice but to have a part-time job because of their family's financial situation.  They may  work voluntarily or under pressure from their parents, but whatever the motivation, we have no right  to say they have made the wrong choice.

Not all senior students are capable of going to university, and others may not want to study further.  For those who plan to work straight after  high school,  a part-time job would allow them to gain basic work experience.

They would then know what to expect and would be better able to handle challenges that come up in the real world.

Some people may argue that students from poor families can apply for government funding so that they can concentrate on their school work.  But who are we to force a family to accept support?  Isn't a family that solves their own problems one worthy of respect?

I agree that students should concentrate on studying, but does that mean they can't work at all? Some of my friends do part-time work on the weekend. Their school work doesn't seem to be affected. They even do better than me, and I don't have a part-time job.

Phoenix Lee Ching-Kwan, 18

Tin Ka Ping Secondary School

No. Nothing  is more important for students than their studies. And when they are not studying, teenagers should make the most of their valuable time by relaxing or meeting friends and family,  not making money.

Jobs, even if part-time,  are time-consuming.

And if  students squeeze in extra time for  a job, their school work will suffer. I've seen many  classmates, who used to do well in school,  get bad grades in public exams because of their part-time jobs.

Having a job is physically and mentally exhausting.  Besides the heavy workload, being scolded by employers or customers is part of the job. Adults can barely handle such pressure, let alone students.

Working while still at school  may also cultivate the wrong values in teenagers' minds. Money may  become their top priority.  Many  students take up part-time

jobs not to support their families but to buy luxury products.

Also, the workplace puts teenagers in contact with  people from all walks of life. Students may meet unsavoury people and be led astray.

Some may argue that doing part-time jobs can be a  learning experience. This is true if students  take proper care of their studies.

But in reality, it's hard to balance  work and studies.  After we graduate, we will get plenty of experience in the real world.



Should secondary students have part-time jobs?