Your Voice: Hong Kong should embrace the waste-charging scheme; students need more education about bullying (short letters)

Hong Kong’s upcoming waste-charging scheme is a positive step towards environmental conservation and sustainable living. While single-use plastic bags may be convenient to carry around, their impact on our environment is long-term. They end up in landfills, rivers, and oceans, posing a significant threat to marine life. By imposing charges on plastic bags, Hong Kong aims to reduce their consumption and encourage people to adopt more eco-friendly alternatives.

Plastic bags are cheap to produce but expensive to manage. The cost of cleaning up plastic pollution and maintaining waste facilities far exceeds the initial savings from using disposable bags. The government can invest in sustainable waste management practices by charging for plastic bags.

As Hong Kong’s ban on single-use plastics begins, here’s how customers and restaurants are reacting

Hong Kong has a unique opportunity to lead by example. By embracing sustainable practices, we can attract environmentally conscious tourists, foster innovation in green technologies, and create a cleaner, healthier city for future generations.

Let us embrace this policy as a collective effort to protect our environment, promote responsible consumption, and pave the way for a greener future.

Roselle Chan Nga-hei, Ma On Shan Tsung Tsin Secondary School

Most schools do not adequately teach students the definition of bullying. Students should receive guidance on how to understand what constitutes harassment, resist it, and learn what is considered an invasion of personal privacy.

School policies should be improved to pay more attention to introverted students. Questionnaires should be used to determine if bullying has occurred. Policies need to be enhanced to address both the bullies and the bullied students in different classes. This arrangement can provide better protection.

Step up to stop bullying in schools

More extensive education should be provided on the definition of bullying and what actions should be considered punishable.

Should threats, emotional control and verbal violence be classified as bullying? Bullying often occurs without the awareness of those being bullied.

We could prevent cases of bullying if we provided more guidance in these situations.

Jimmy Guan Changyi, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College

The phrase “You are what you wear” suggests that clothing choices significantly impact a person’s identity and can define how others view them. I’m afraid I have to disagree with the above statement.

A person of the Catholic faith might often wear a cross necklace, which transmits a message to others about that person’s religion. People may choose to wear clothing representing their cultural background or express their support for an ideology. Clothing styles can also be influenced by parental guidance.

Unfortunately, society often judges people based on their appearance and clothing. Some may dislike certain fashion styles, leading to unwarranted criticism of others’ clothing choices. This societal pressure can be stifling and prevent individuals from expressing their identities.

However, it is crucial to recognise that clothing is only one aspect of a person’s identity.

No one should define their entire being by simply looking at their clothes. Instead, we should consider each person thoroughly to understand people as individuals.

Kelly Fong, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College

Adolescence is a critical phase of development, and it is society’s collective responsibility to ensure that teenagers have the support they need to overcome the challenges they encounter.

Mental health issues are on the rise among the youth, with anxiety and depression affecting their overall well-being. We must prioritise mental health awareness and provide accessible counselling services in schools and communities.

Open conversations about emotions and destigmatising seeking help are vital steps towards supporting teenagers in their struggles.

80% of Hong Kong secondary school students report feeling uncertain about their life path

Peer pressure and the allure of escapism can lead teenagers down a dangerous path. Implementing comprehensive drug education programmes and creating supportive environments can help control substance abuse.

Academic pressure often takes a toll on teenagers’ mental health. The obsession with grades and achievement can lead to stress and burnout.

We must shift the focus towards holistic education, emphasising personal growth, skills development, and well-being rather than solely academic success.