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SCMP Reporter

Say no to fur
Would you feel comfortable wearing a dead animal wrapped around your body? I wouldn't.
Using animal skins to make clothes isn't fair to animals. Material made from man-made fibre is widely available and more durable.
It's often hard to identify if we're wearing animal skin, so why take the chance? Man-made fibre is on sale, so why not just use that instead?
Man-made fibre doesn't do any harm to the environment. So the animals and the forests are safer. Imagine you are an animal and you think about humans cutting off and wearing your skin around their bodies.
That's my idea of hell. We are making animals live in hell!
Kim Abigail Ramos Basilio, HKMA David Li Kwok Po College
Hard work pays dividends
I firmly believe that the harder you work, the more you obtain in life. Working hard is the way to achieve success.
I had exams at school recently. I started my revision two weeks earlier. I thought that there was sufficient time for me  to get a pass or even a higher grade.
I realised how wrong I was  soon after the exam. I couldn't remember the subjects that I had revised and I didn't even understand half the questions.
Now, I pay full attention in class and revise every day after school. It's such a great  way to reduce my revision time. When I pay attention in class, I can ask questions without delay and my difficulties don't accumulate.
Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is a good example of hard work paying dividends.
He  practised 50 free kicks every day in order to make him a better player.
Now he scores a goal in nearly every match. I admire his attitude very much.
If you want to be successful, begin work now, practise hard and never give up - just like  Ronaldo.
Yip Sin-lung, YWCA Hioe Tjo Yoeng College
Give equal chance for women
The public is more aware of gender equality and prejudices against women nowadays.
Women have become more vocal as they seek equality with men. This situation is undoubtedly attributable to high education levels and stronger earning power they now have.
Women no longer regard marriage and having children as their only avenues to a wonderful life.
Many of them have defied the odds to eclipse their male counterparts in the workplace.
Moreover, women who are abused are no longer afraid to speak out. Victims of domestic violence usually seek social workers' help or try to prosecute husbands who mistreat them in the courts of law.
However, despite increased gender parity, women still encounter prejudice.
The government should do its part to stamp it out completely.
In fact, the government can help in many ways. Legislation is the best way to protect women from discrimination.
The government can increase  punishment, which should make men think twice before targeting females. Officials should promote equal opportunities through the media or by holding exhibitions and seminars.
That way,  women will be more aware of their rights and will know how to protect themselves legally.
In theory, no one should be discriminated against in a developed, prosperous society.
However, Hong Kong still has some way to go before it can claim to be a completely equal society.
Vicki Mak, Methodist College
Paying a heavy price for textbooks
Why do we have to pay for textbooks?
While it is true that there are some very wealthy families in Hong Kong, don't forget that there are many more poor ones and they may not have enough money to buy textbooks for their children. Why doesn't the government pay attention to this problem?
The cost of textbooks is increasing and it is already about HK$1,000 per year per student. Many families, particularly those who have two or more school-aged children, will find it difficult to pay for their textbooks.
Bookstores say that Hong Kong's birthrate is low, so they have to increase the cost of textbooks to ensure they don't lose money.
Education requires a large amount of money nowadays. I wonder how married couples dare to have babies, when their education can cost so much.
The government should do more to help. Hongkongers pay taxes every year and the authorities are always saying that education is an investment in the future.
How come they don't do something for us by paying for school textbooks?
Maggie Lee Tzu-yun, HKMA David Li Kwok Po College
Small classes for all
The chief executive promised to implement small-class teaching and extend free schooling in his  policy address last year. There will be 12 years of free education for all in future.
Form Four to Form Seven students will have their school fees waived from  September and primary schools will be able to reduce their class sizes to 25 for 2009 admissions.
Hong Kong will need to hire 3,000 extra teachers and build 40 new schools.
Teachers will need a new teaching method  because classes will be more interactive, with frequent activities and discussions.
However, secondary schools will not implement small-class teaching.
Projects, presentations and discussions are practical ways to learn rather than just listening to lectures. Smaller classes will surely benefit students, regardless of their age.
The government should introduce small-class teaching in all schools.
Vivian Chan, Methodist College



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