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SCMP Reporter

Hard to believe King of Pop is gone
My favourite person is superstar Michael Jackson. Although he died more than two months ago, I still miss him a lot. The world has lost a great icon.
I always think about Jackson and his music. It's hard to believe he's no longer with us. I am sure he is living happily in another world, and he is not alone. 
If not for Jackson, I wouldn't like dancing or singing. He will always be the King of Pop. 
Jackson once said: 'People can always have a judgment about anything you do. So, it doesn't bother me. Everything can be strange to someone.'
I will always remember this. I will do my best and wouldn't bother about what others say about me.
We should keep Jackson's spirit alive by donating money to charity and taking part in voluntary work.
We need to heal the world and make more people happy.
Mak Po-tin, HKTA Tang Hin Memorial Secondary School
Drug tests only a temporary solution
Drug abuse is a serious problem among youngsters in Hong Kong. 
But I don't agree with the government proposal for voluntary drug testing in schools. This violates the basic freedoms enjoyed by Hongkongers.
We should first find out why more and more teenagers are taking drugs. 
Nowadays, drugs are easily available, so teens neglected by their parents can easily go astray.
School drug tests could lead to more problems and damage the student-school relationship. 
I can imagine how students would feel after taking drug tests. 
Drug tests could lower their self-esteem and they would think they have no privacy anymore. And they could become 'rebels' and turn against their teachers. 
The scheme is only a temporary solution because students will not be subject to drug tests after leaving school.
There are better alternatives, like providing more social workers to schools to help students who have academic or behavioural problems.
In addition, schools can organise activities to promote the anti-drug message.
Such measures can help eradicate the drug problem in Hong Kong.
Vickie Li Chui-lam,  DMHC Siu Ming Catholic Secondary School
Disaster tests leadership skills
I am writing in response to the typhoon in Taiwan which killed at least 500 people last month. President Ma Ying-jeou has apologised for his government's slow response to Typhoon Morakot, which devastated central and southern parts of the island.
I think the timing of the apology was not right. At the time, nobody was sure who should bear responsibility for the disaster.
Ma should have concentrated on the rescue efforts. Mudslides had cut off many villages, and thousands were feared buried beneath the rubble. They were waiting for the military to arrive.
I understand why many villagers were angry with the government.
But Ma should have simply got on with the job without bowing to public pressure and saying 'sorry' for the poor response.
We all make mistakes. Ma should have shown better leadership during the crisis.
Grace Lee, Kit Sam Lam Bing Yim Secondary School
Focus on ethics
Schools should give more emphasis to the moral education of their students. Then fewer students would copy their classmates' homework or use foul language during lessons. It is no use raising such issues only at school assemblies.
Parents also have to be role models for their children.
Good moral education can help enhance students' mental health and prepare them for a successful life in the future.
Ho Tsz-kwan, Ju Ching Chu Secondary School (Kwai Chung)



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