Many students are opposed to the government-subsidised internship programme, because they think the salaries are too low. But I support the scheme. At least the scheme guarantees a wage of no less than HK$4,000 a month. As we all know, there are people working for less than that, and some don't have jobs at all. Instead of grumbling about the money, people should treat the scheme as an opportunity to get valuable work experience and learn to economise. There are people out there, after all, working 10-hour days for next to nothing, scraping by however they can. Too many young people today are used to spending easy money on luxuries. Getting work experience on a basic salary is a good way to learn patience. If the government deems the programme a failure, it might raise the basic salary by HK$1,000, but no more. Chau Tsz-shan, Yuen Long Merchants Association Secondary School From the Editor Thanks for your letter, Tsz-shan. There is a saying in South Africa: 'Half a loaf of bread is better than none.' It means that if you get anything, it's better than nothing. Perhaps this is the best way to view this controversy. No one is forcing the students to take up low-paying jobs. If they can get higher salaries, then they should take those jobs. While the figure is not ideal, especially for graduates, most of these new employees will be living at home, so will not have to pay rent or fend for themselves. When the economy improves, they will have added job experience to their CVs and be in a stronger position to secure better jobs. Susan, Editor