Your Voice: Waste-charging scheme is essential for Hong Kong; discovering the joy of the movies (short letters)

I am writing in response to the suspension of Hong Kong’s waste-charging scheme.

Despite the widespread education campaigns in Hong Kong, including reels and social media posts advocating for sustainable habits, they have proven insufficient in changing people’s behaviour. This underscores the need for a more impactful approach, such as the waste-charging scheme.

What is missing is a financial angle to change our habits. In fact, the government has already introduced the plastic shopping bag charging scheme, in which we have to pay HK$1 per bag. Similarly, the pay-as-you-throw scheme potentially creates an association between waste production and money. This can deter those with a tight budget from disposing of significant trash.

While some argue for better infrastructure, it’s important to note that the revenue from the waste-charging scheme can significantly contribute to the government’s efforts to provide more recycling facilities. This is a clear benefit of the scheme that should not be overlooked.

It is alarming that the suspension of the waste-charging scheme may lead Hongkongers to forget the need to protect our planet.

Mike Chow, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College

Watching movies in the cinema has always been one of my favourite activities. I love watching different kinds of films and am a big fan of Hong Kong cinema. Listening to Cantonese in the theatre and with a large screen is so special.

Recently, I watched Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, which is a rage online.

Everyone on the internet gave the film positive reviews, so I was excited before watching it.

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After watching it, I was convinced it deserves the many positive reviews that it received from the public.

The movie is set in the Kowloon Walled City in 1980s Hong Kong, and it was an eye-opening experience for me.

It was an extraordinarily densely-populated and largely ungoverned enclave of China within the boundaries of Kowloon City when Hong Kong was still under British rule.

It is a place full of crime but also love and kindness.

This movie shows not just the mystery of the Kowloon Walled City but also the community spirit of the people.

Yu Tin-yan, Pui Kiu College

I was distraught to learn about the “time zone cheating” within the International Baccalaureate (IB) exam. As an institution that prides itself on the principles of academic integrity and global-mindedness, the IB’s reputation has been severely tarnished by these revelations. Urgent action must be taken to address this crisis.

The IB, with its rigorous curriculum and prestigious diploma, has long been regarded as a benchmark of excellence in international education. However, the abuse of time zone differences to gain an unfair advantage has undermined the very foundations upon which the programme was built.

Students who engage in this unethical behaviour are not only depriving their peers of a level playing field but also cheating themselves out of the true value and meaning of the IB experience.

The fact that students have been able to circumvent security measures and access exam materials ahead of their scheduled testing times indicated the programme’s oversight and quality control processes.

Immediate steps must be taken to strengthen identity verification, enhance real-time monitoring, and implement robust anti-cheating safeguards.

Guan Changyi, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College

The school tuck shop or canteen is one of the most important places for students. However, the food served is too monotonous, and most students get bored soon.

The school tuck shop should serve healthy food and snacks – that should be the first rule. For example, canteens can include multigrain, wholemeal, or high-fibre breads with healthy fillings like salads, chicken, beef, fish and eggs.

Other options include sushi, rice paper rolls, reduced-fat yogurt, air-popped popcorn and boiled eggs.

There could be a weekly “cultural cuisine” day, as it is not just about the food but about creating an experience that brings students together. Imagine sitting with your classmates and bonding over your shared love of good food.

The school can hold a “student chef” competition once a year. Pupils can showcase their skills and get their winning dish added to the canteen menu. Schools can also partner with local food truck owners and bring their cooking to our plates.

The possibilities are endless. And maybe our culinary revolution will also inspire other schools.