Students should be given more freedom in deciding school rules. What are your views?

School rules are implemented in the school system to make sure that students are well behaved and learn discipline. However, students find school rules a chore and feel that they should be abolished. School rules definitely, cannot be abolished. However, students should be given more freedom and communication with the school in deciding school rules.

There are always two sides to a coin. With allowing students more freedom in deciding school rules, there are also advantages and disadvantages. To start with, giving students more freedom in deciding school rules enables students to be more satisfied with the school rules. With more communication, certain school rules which students might think is unreasonable can be abolished to satisfy the students and new school rules which the school might have overlooked can be implemented to have students be more disciplined. By giving students more freedom in deciding school rules, we can more students who follow the rules and know the rules better, being more knowledgeable of why certain rules are set.

However, giving students more freedom in deciding school rules might lead to them abusing their authority and wanting more. They might argue to have no school rules at all as they do not affect them academically. Allowing too much freedom for students would be a danger to the disciplinary standards within the school, especially if students think they are in charge and can do anything they think is right.

In conclusion, students should be given more freedom in deciding school rules, but not too much freedom. Freedom should be given to the extent that the school still has control over its students. Communication between students and the school is an important factor in instilling discipline amongst the students. Only with communication can students be able to know the rules well and play by it willingly.

War

The irony of war- the fight for peace. Practically everything was destroyed. Everything around was in a wreck. Scattered scraps of wood and metal lay in a mess where once stood a house, where there was once a happy family. Bombings and gunshots could be heard from all directions. It was like a living hell. No one could hear anything, for foreign sounds were drowned in the never ending gunshots. Bullet shells were everywhere- as if it had rained bullet shells.

Wailings and crying could roughly be heard amidst all the chaos. Wailings of broken up families, lost children, mothers who are looking for their husbands and children. The cruelty of war, tearing families apart, bringing many things to an end, heartlessly.

Soldiers, however determined to carry on fighting the "war for peace", dejectedly trudged through the wreckage, knowing their life could end in any moment. With a single gunshot. Just like how the lives of many were lost in this endless battle, for peace.

War strikes mercilessly. The struggle for power with the vision of peace. To the people, all they want is to witness for themselves, the light at the end of the tunnel. To live through the war, with their beloved family, back to the happy family they were before, before the war, before the chaos, before all the suffering. War is a phantom, attacking out of the blue, with venom which spreads and never stops.

Does nuclear energy still have a part to play in the world?

Yes, nuclear energy still has a part to play in the world. Nuclear energy is by far one of the most efficient sources of energy. Despite a high cost of building a nuclear plant, the cost is much cheaper in the long run. With its high efficiency, it is more cost-efficient and people would not need to pay as much money for energy too.

Also, it is much more environmentally friendly compared to fossil fuels. The burning of fossil fuels causes global warming and releases gasses which pollute the air. Nuclear energy does not involve burning, bringing down the prospect of pollution.

However, nuclear energy does have shortcomings and risks. Nuclear waste not properly disposed would also be a great harm to the environment. However, countries like France have already started ways to recycle this nuclear waste. With the advancing technology, nuclear waste would not be of a problem in the future.

The greatest risk of nuclear energy is portrayed in the scenario of the nuclear crisis in Japan and also Chernobyl. These cases, even if the extremes, is a great risk and would be troublesome to handle if broken out. Also, being the extreme worst case scenario, these are not often and despite posing a fatal threat, is not much of a problem. Everything comes with pros and cons. If we stop using nuclear energy because of it's risks, why not stop burning fossil fuels with the risk of it exploding and causing a major disaster altogether?

Nevertheless, nuclear energy, being the most efficient source of energy, still has a part to play in the world. Never mind the risks, nuclear energy has more advantages than disadvantages.

Japan Earthquake Online Lesson

Tokyo Doraemon Road Refugee Centre

April 4, 2011

Hi Xav,

How are you doing in Singapore? Recently, Japan has been hit by a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami. I am sure you have heard of the devastating situation here in Japan from the media. Do not worry about us, we are currently taking refuge in Tokyo Doraemon Road Refugee Centre and have the basic necessities provided for us here.

Earthquakes happen often here. Thus, we did not think too much into it when the Earthquake happened. However, after awhile, we realized that the Earthquake was stronger than usual. Everything was shaking, and our books started falling off the shelves. I looked out of the window to see the roads destroyed, and lampposts uprooted. It was a total catastrophe. We quickly evacuated the building and sought a safe place. Hopelessly, we could only watch as our home collapsed into rumble. Soon, we were told to seek high ground as a tsunami could be approaching, and we had little time to react. Everything was a mess as we followed policemen to high ground. It was a scene of mixed emotions, angry, sad and lost. All everybody could ask for at that time was to live through the disaster unscathed. Indeed, the tsunami soon approached and we watched as everything was washed up in the wave, along with people screaming for their lives as they attempted to escape the claws of death.

Here at Tokyo Doraemon Road Refugee Centre, we feel comfortable and safe, even though 1000 people have to squeeze into a small hall. They have provided us with the basic necessities to live in and we couldn’t ask for more. I shall update you about our situation next time!

Yours Sincerely,
Aik Yang