For Secondary Six students such as me, the clock is ticking down to the Diploma of Secondary Education exam. Not only us, but our teachers are also worried, given that they cannot monitor our progress and teach us in person as before. The Education Bureau’s plans tend to be messy and confusing , especially for Secondary Six students who have already been deprived of sustained in-class teaching for a year. After complaints about uncertainty and last-minute changes, the government on Monday announced plans to suspend most face-to-face classes until after the Lunar New Year holiday in February. Although many of us would like to go back to school as soon as possible, health concerns should be thoroughly addressed. Even though there are signs of improvement in the number of Covid-19 infections these days, this is not yet time for optimism. In light of this, postponing the resumption of most in-person classes is in the interest of our health. However, it would be unwise to cancel all internal tests for online classes. as many teachers earlier suggested. Conducting tests is the most effective way to monitor students’ progress, especially now that most youngsters cannot attend lessons on campus. Without the prospect of examinations, students would lack the motivation to learn at home, and may not be able to catch up with their studies when in-person classes resume. Given the challenges that lie ahead of Hong Kong, and its younger generation in particular, the city should come together to do as much as it can to solve them. I hope our education officials will make every endeavour to ease the difficulties of both schools and the students at this difficult time. Mavis Lam, Kwai Chung Consider collateral damage of Covid closures Covid restrictions are extended for another two weeks, schools remain closed, lots of other activities and businesses remain closed. When our leaders suggest closing restaurants, gyms, shopping malls, etc, each closure affects many people’s lives and may result in many losing all their income. But none of these restrictions will cause our bureaucrats to lose any pay. I propose that the salaries of all senior civil servants be stopped until life in Hong Kong returns to normal. Andy Statham, Happy Valley