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SCMP Reporter

Ophelia Chan, 17, St Clare's Girls' School
People always think investing is the same as gambling. But, we can learn a lot through investing. Investing in the stock market moves students' learning beyond the classroom and into other areas.  I support this idea  because it is a rational investment.
First, the government has introduced legislation - the Mandatory Provident Fund  (MPF) Schemes Ordinance.  Once students finish their studies, they will join the workforce and  become a member of an MPF scheme. From that day, they get their very own investment plan.  Their MPF benefits will grow through  management of their MPF funds.  MPF becomes a part of their assets. They should learn how to invest and protect their assets when they are students.
Second, students managing their own investments will gain a lot of experience and be able to set up investment goals.  They will learn to assess their  risk-tolerance level  and how to adjust their portfolios at different times. This will enhance students' critical-thinking, problem-solving, decision-making and creative skills.
Third, in line with students' goal of developing into well-educated people who are able to meet future challenges, investing can provide a wide range of learning experiences which helps understand the world. Students can learn how to control their emotions and recover if the investments fail.
Last but not least, successful investments can  help people fight  inflation.
Germaine Sng  Qi-min, 15, South Island School
There is no perfect investment, only advantages and disadvantages. However, the disadvantages vastly outnumber the advantages in the volatile stock market.
One can take a chance and pray feverishly for rapid growth in the market.  But the drawbacks in this risky scheme are no secret. Nearly everyone must know of someone who lost their wealth and consequently perhaps even lost their self-confidence when the stock market crashed.
As students, our main focus is to graduate with good  grades, and enjoy what is left of our rapidly fading teenaged years. With the constant worrying and disquieting scrutiny of the stock market, not only would one's studies be affected, but the incessant fretting might also affect one's social life.
Besides, how much can a student earn, anyway? Not much. So, without much money for backup in case of a loss, the risk of spiralling into debt while still at school is much higher.
Additionally, without the spare cash and the relative experience  of a financially stable employee,  students have a higher chance of making the wrong choices financially. So, they are twice as likely to make mistakes and the damage will  be amplified owing to the fact students  don't have much money to make up the financial deficit.
I am not against taking a chance and investing in stocks. However, as students, we do have enough matters on our agenda, the biggest being doing well in the exams.
If I were to speak straight from the heart, I feel one should really treasure one's teenage years without any monetary worries or added distractions.
I believe students should not invest in stock markets.



Question of the week: Do you think students should invest in stocks?