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Confucius says my teacher is wrong
 One of my teachers has set up a rule that everybody has to participate in the class. If you don't put up your hand, there are two reasons why you will be punished:  you failed to  contribute your views and you did not know the answer.
I have two reasons why I don't think this rule achieves anything.
Firstly, thousands of years ago, Confucius said leaders who ruled by might and lots of legislation  were obeyed less by people than leaders who ruled by showing themselves to be model citizens.  
Secondly, is it fair that everyone shares the disrespect earned by the bad guys? 
Li Lok-yin, STFA Tam Pak Yu College
How to turn your failure into success 
 When we are making decisions,  there are always two possible results: success or failure.  It is  normal to feel sad about failure, but what is important is how to face it and improve the situation.
Failure shows that a person has done something wrong. The outcome is a bad result. It's like a driver falling asleep  at the wheel and causing an accident or a student not working hard and getting bad marks.  
People know they have done something wrong and  will try to do better the next time. 
Therefore, accept your failures  now or you may have cause to be sad again.
Tsao Wing-hei 
Seeing through the smoke 
 Recently I saw a book advocating the rights of smokers. I would like to counter some of the claims it made.
First, smoking should not be used as an excuse for relaxation.  There are a lot of other ways to relax, such as doing sports or listening to music. I think smoking can only bring a temporary illusion of happiness to  people. 
Secondly,  many smokers blame their habit on being  brought up in  smoke-filled homes.  But it is still your choice whether you start smoking  yourself.  
Unless you are forced to smoke by somebody,  it is  a personal decision.  Since smoking will harm our health, it is foolish to light up.
Moreover, second-hand smoke does great harm to children. Children exposed to second-hand smoke are  at a higher risk of developing learning and behavioural problems. Be a thoughtful person. We must not pass on problems to others.
 With  more anti-tobacco advertisements and health messages  on TV, I think  we can prevent many people from smoking.
 Alma Wong Kin-wai, Leung Shek Chee College 
Make Hong Kong a home for artists
 Artists have a hard time finding good workspaces in Hong Kong because of the high rents. Many have found cheap studio space in factories left vacant by industries  moving to the mainland in the past few decades.  
Local artists recently took to the streets to protest against the government's plan to revitalise old industrial buildings. 
They say the proposed scheme has  driven up rents, leaving them unable to afford their workspaces. 
Some of the artists may even have to leave their studios, and this could hurt Hong Kong's culture and creativity.
 Therefore, I think the government  should provide more resources to the artists.
 It should also  encourage more creativity and develop art in the city.  Hong Kong will benefit from it.
Natalie Wong Hoi-yi, Pooi To Middle School  
 Leave elderly workers alone
 The government should not set a mandatory retirement age.
 In our society, some people want to quit their jobs to enjoy life in their late 40s or early 50s.  
 On the other hand, some people want to keep working after 60  - they may be poor and have to earn a living or they  may want to pass on their valuable  experience to  their younger colleagues.
 There are elderly people who remain active even in their 70s and 80s. They are also very knowledgeable, and still capable of making a good contribution to society. 
They should not be ignored.
 If the government insists on setting the retirement age at 60, it is actually wasting valuable manpower.
Brayden Hou Wing-hin, SKH St James' Primary School



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