Noah's Ark can raise our awareness of environmental problems. The number of natural disasters is increasing every year. This is a warning - the earth is really sick. We should think hard about what we've done to damage our planet and how we can improve things.

If we don't act soon, the great flood may come again and wash away all our treasured things. We would regret it then, but it would simply be too late.

Winny Lau

Pros and cons of learning at home

Home schooling is common in many countries. But in Hong Kong, one family is fighting for the right to teach their child at home.

Poon Chi-fai pulled his son out of school because of a disagreement over the cost of a picnic. The boy started home schooling in May. The Education Bureau and the school wrote letters asking Poon to send his son back to school but he refused and was taken to court.

I think parents should be allowed to tutor their children at home in certain circumstances. But I believe being at school has benefits that are not confined to academics.

School allows children to be around their friends and peers. Poon's son, Wing-hon, told television reporters what he missed most about school was seeing his friends and making new ones.

Without friends, children's lives are empty.

What's more, not many parents are qualified to teach their children. Teachers need to pass examinations and be familiar with the syllabus. Parents who are not teachers won't have time for this.

And what about their jobs? How will they make a living?

While some children benefit from home schooling, they are a minority. Hong Kong doesn't offer parents any kind of support to teach their children at home, so youngsters will suffer. I hope Poon will set aside his pride and send Wing-hon back to school.

Charmaine Cho, Leung Shek Chee College

Morals more valued than knowledge

A person with good morals but limited knowledge is better than someone who is immoral but very clever.

Chinese culture emphasises high standards of behaviour. Confucianism puts good morals above knowledge. I believe being a good person is as important as getting top marks in school.

Just because someone studies hard, it doesn't mean they understand the importance of morals. For example, there are clever university students who take part in compensated dating. They don't stop to think how their behaviour may endanger their own lives or affect others.

Of course, knowledge is crucial to be successful in life. We should never stop learning. But we should also continue to improve our morals and be considerate. We should always think about how we can help others and improve their lives.

We'll be happier if we know we are good people rather than simply being highly intelligent.

Cherry Tsang Sau-pui, Our Lady of the Rosary College

Save the dolphins

Dolphins are very clever, but many people think of them as being just cute. They are very rare, intelligent animals, and we need them.

Although their bodies look like fish, their brains and senses are almost human. They can sense people's moods. They can help to heal the sick.

We should do everything we can to ensure the species does not die out.

Tang Ching-yan, Christian Alliance S. C. Chan Memorial College