Have something to say? Send us a letter using this form.
Perils of junk food
Hailey Yeung, Tak Nga Secondary School
Selling junk food in schools undermines the goal of fostering a healthy learning environment and promoting student well-being.
Junk food is often high in sugar, unhealthy fats and empty calories, which contribute to health issues such as obesity, diabetes and heart diseases. These conditions affect students’ physical health and can also lead to mental health challenges.
When schools provide easy access to unhealthy options, they encourage poor dietary habits.
Consuming junk food can negatively impact academic performance. Research shows that a diet rich in processed foods can impair cognitive function, leading to difficulties in concentration and overall academic achievement.
Instead of junk food, schools should prioritise healthier options like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy.
This promotes better health and educates students about nutrition and balanced eating.
In conclusion, selling junk food in school tuck shops is detrimental to students’ health and academic performance. Schools are responsible for creating environments that support healthy choices.
Rio de Janeiro schools try a new recipe to reduce child obesity
Theme park studies
Osanna Chan, Pope Paul VI College
There is a recent trend among Shanghai and Hong Kong students to study in Disneyland. The idea of studying in a lively and vibrant theme park is extraordinarily astounding. The sounds of laughter, chatter and music echo across every corner of Disneyland. Is studying in such a bustling environment a good idea? I sincerely doubt it.
Studying efficiency would be significantly reduced due to the loud chatter and laughter surrounding an amusement park.
Studying in Disneyland every week can also be capital intensive. It is no secret that Disneyland is pricey, and admission prices have increased almost every year.
Moreover, occupying the seating area for a long time in a crowded environment, especially on weekends, is selfish. As a well-known tourist attraction, it attracts many visitors to this magical amusement park daily. Dining at the park’s restaurants would be the most common choice for visitors. Studying there would hinder those who need to eat in the park conveniently.
Studying in a cafe could be a better alternative; a calm atmosphere and relaxing music would enhance productivity.
Hong Kong helpers enjoy day at Disneyland
Second-hand smoke dangers
Orelia Poon Sze-ching, SKH. Tsang Shiu Tim Secondary School
You may have heard that second-hand smoke is more harmful to non-smokers than first-hand smoke. But why?
When a cigarette burns, it produces two types of smoke. One is mainstream smoke which is exhaled by the smoker. The other is sidestream smoke which is released directly from the burning tip into the air, resulting in a higher concentration of carcinogens. This unfiltered toxic fog is detrimental to health and increases the likelihood that non-smokers will suffer from cancer.
Non-smokers are forced to inhale cigarette smoke passively, meaning we cannot control the amount or frequency of inhaling this toxic substance. When non-smokers are trapped in an enclosed space, they cannot escape this carcinogenic monster.
Long-term inhalation of second-hand smoke is hazardous to adults’ health, let alone to children whose physical development is not yet complete.
It is crucial to take measures to control smoke emissions.
We should expand smoke-free zones or implement stricter regulations for smoking in non-smoking areas. The government could also establish smoking cessation programmes.
English literacy reform
Jason Lui Kwan-lung, King’s College
While the Philippines’ proposed ban on Filipino dubbing of English-language films and shows is commendable for its intentions, it may be too passive.
The essence of being proficient in any language boils down to consistent exposure and application. Yet, the policy was proposed because teenagers consume media mostly on TV. In contrast, they keep tabs on the newest trends on social media and binge-watch foreign shows on streaming platforms.
No teenager would spend their free time watching a TV programme they cannot understand in their native language. The government should promote English literacy via education, helping students start learning from an early stage.
The crux of English illiteracy is current schools have rendered English highly exam-oriented, estranging students from it. English becomes merely an academic subject and a tiresome hassle to use. At schools, having a learning companion like teachers and classmates who may have also struggled is conducive to picking up a new language.
It is paramount to arouse students’ interest and create a relaxing learning environment instead of rote learning.
