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SCMP Reporter

What do you think of the ESF fee rise?
The English Schools Foundation (ESF) provides an excellent education system which opens up a variety of opportunities for every student in their higher education and future careers.
Nevertheless, I do not buy into the idea that inflationary pressure is affecting the supply of qualified teachers. There are better qualified teachers available from countries that have the brightest graduates, such as India. Teachers are service-orientated professionals and the best teachers don't do it for extra cash. They enjoy the gift of sharing knowledge.
The foundation in my opinion does have monopolistic characteristics and has historically been very able to pass on costs at ease. It is not fair for families who are trying to make ends meet with the high oil and food prices to have to now deal with higher education costs.
The new prices will affect the happiness of households and put more pressure on the students. Would the ESF drop fees during a recession? Did it during Sars?
Rishi Teckchandani, Los Angeles
I am writing in response to the letter by David Williams of the Overseas Inspectors' Association which appeared on 19 June. In it he suggests that the ESF may be breaching Education Bureau regulations by requiring parents to make an advance fee payment before the summer holidays.
I would like to assure your readers that before this measure's introduction we received approval from the then Education and Manpower Bureau under Regulation 61 (1) of the Education Regulations.
Heather Du Quesnay, chief executive, English Schools Foundation
What do you think of the government response to the storm?
The recent rare torrential rain with squally thunderstorms led to devastating flooding, the closure of schools, submerged vehicles and general disruption to the city of both businesses and traffic.
Particularly in the low-lying Wing Lok Street in Sheung Wan, which is prone to flooding,  the owners of businesses suffered severe damages and loss of goods. The government was prompt in reacting to the situation. It sent a crew of contractors to Sheung Wan  to clear out the rubbish blocking the sewers and the water quickly receded from knee level to ankle level.  This level of rainfall rarely happens, so there is a tendency to think it is not worth spending the manpower or time on improving the drainage system.
But the most important thing is to educate the public not to drop waste into the drains, which then block and cause flooding. Historically, due to the lack of urban planning during the first half of the 20th century, the underground drains and sewers were not properly planned and managed and it is especially common for sewers to be connected to storm drains in old buildings, despite the fact that it is illegal.  These connections  hinder the smooth flow of water,  blocking drains, despite their being regularly cleaned by the Drainage Services Department.
Nowadays, professionals such as members of the Hong Kong Institute of Utility Specialists offer to check drainage connections  by providing qualified specialists.   By performing regular checking of underground utilities by engaging qualified specialists and further promoting education of the public,  the situation will be greatly improved.
Amy Tsui, Research Officer, Hong Kong Utility Research Centre
That the Lantau Link was flooded is inexcusable. Of all the roads in Hong Kong, this is the one artery that can never afford to be blocked off for any reason.
Yet, in watching the news, I was amazed to see that the government department that - three hours later - finally removed the central road barriers to allow traffic to head back to Tsing Yi was the Fire Services Department (FSD), not the traffic police. The police should have removed the barrier to allow traffic to head back within the first hour, but it was the FSD that went beyond the call of duty and used its common sense.
Bravo to the FSD. Shame on the traffic police.
G. Marques, Mei Foo
What do you think of the proposed TST piazza?
In the Harbourfront Enhancement Committee, members supported kiosks and refreshments, but in general asked for a flexible space and to let its use be developed over time. There was certainly no support for a large structure.
Now the government goes to the Legislative Council with a 15-metre-tall structure covering 10 per cent of the site for commercial use. All we need is an extension of the Cultural Centre Piazza, with a pavilion and outside seating for refreshments, tourist info and public convenience.
We are not creating a pleasure ground, we don't need a shopping mall, we just need a generous amount of pedestrian space and a liberal approach to temporary uses (markets, performances, fairs). And why wait? Do it soon. The future will demonstrate how people use the piazza. It can then be upgraded as needed to accommodate the actual usage.
Paul Zimmerman, Designing Hong Kong
On other matters ...
Now that fossil fuel as well as uranium is getting ever more expensive, maybe it is time to think about a time when electricity becomes so expensive that people and businesses won't be able to afford much and have to switch off air conditioners most of the time. Sounds scary? Maybe, but maybe there is a solution.
As our refrigerator shows us, good insulation can keep the heat out. How about insulating our buildings in order to reduce the need for air conditioning? How long would that take for all buildings in Hong Kong, and when would be a good time to start?
If fossil fuel will be gone in 40 years, how many buildings need to be refurbished every year if we start right now? How many if we start in 40 years? Would it be cheaper if we start right now, or would it be cheaper when all prices have doubled or tripled? Did you ever think about choosing an apartment based on its energy consumption during its use? Or do you think electricity will stay this cheap all your life?
Andreas Renn, Sai Kung
The government has taken action against the misuse of public space at Times Square. I was surprised at the diligence of the government and the tough measures it took. But similar cases are prevalent all over Hong Kong. For example, the  flower market and the ladies market in Mong Kok. If it wants to be fair, the government should take action against all the areas where public space is being misused.
Oswald Chan, Tsim Sha Tsui
The Sichuan earthquake last month caused a great outpouring of sorrow in Hong Kong. But how did it affect young people? Did our youngsters feel sympathy  for the victims or merely treat the tragedy  as just another item of news?
Days after the quake, in the MTR, I saw a few secondary school students laughing at the photograph of a boy whose body had been pressed flat by the quake.  These boys were so pathetic as they had no idea of how other people might be feeling. As they grow older they will have difficulties engaging with others.  How can schools promote empathy towards the victims?
In my opinion, the most effective way is to provide first-hand information to the students, such as inviting guests who  joined in the rescue work. Photos of the affected area could be shown to the students, with a teacher describing the images. After seeing the grief and trauma, I don't believe any of the boys I met in the MTR would want to laugh.
Mikaela Chan, Mong Kok



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