Disability by Yan Yang and Alvina

Some people may argue that disabled students should be integrated into mainstream schools, as they will do better there. Studies have shown that at the end of primary school, children on the autistic spectrum who attend mainstream schools are 23 times more likely to do well than children in special schools. Since the disabled students are able to do better in mainstream schools as compared to special schools, therefore, they should integrate into mainstream schools.

However, we believe that disabled students should not be integrated into mainstream schools as they may not be able to to cope and face difficulties. Studies have shown that disabled students do much better in a self-contained atmosphere. The traditional classroom setting is not conducive to meeting the needs of these disabled students. Hence it is highly stressful for them, as well as their teachers when put in mainstream schools as they require special attention to aid in their learning. The article also states that there is 2.7 per cent of the total student population with learning difficulties or mild special educational needs at mainstream schools, said a Ministry of Education (MOE) spokesperson. This shows that they are unable to keep up in mainstream schools and require special attention to enhance their learning. Hence, they should not be integrated into mainstream schools as it will only be more difficult for them to cope and even hinders their learning.

Schools, stop the 'kiasu' practice of using DSA to 'chope' bright kids, by Alvina and Yan Yang

Link: Schools, stop the 'Kiasu' practice of using DSA to 'Chope' bright kids

Summary: DSA is a scheme that allows secondary schools, including the top ones, to admit students based on not just their academic ability, but also their talent in sport and the arts. It will draw a different group of students and inject more diversity into the student bodies in the top secondary schools.

But sadly, within a few years, both schools and parents started gaming the system.

Opinion: We agree with the writer that schools should stop this practice. By having DSA, students of different groups with other talents can attend certain schools, and do not have to be very academically inclined. By taking in all the bright kids, it defeats the purpose of DSA, as in the end, people with other talents still cannot join the school as they may not excel in studies. According to the passage, some schools have been using DSA scheme to admit students on the basis of academic strength including those from Gufted Education Programme. This shows that top schools are not making use of DSA to accept a diversity of students. Therefore, we agree with the writer that schools should stop this practice.

Smitten With Infatuation - is it real?

We agree with what the author said about infatuation paying no attention to wisdom. Infatuation is the state of being carried away by an unreasonable passion or love. When people are infatuated with someone else, they can only see the other person's positive traits and are oblivious to their weaknesses. This is because they are blinded by love. Hence, being in this state, they would not think logically and act upon reasoning. Therefore, we agree with what the author said.

8 Million Tons of Plastic Dumped in Ocean Every Year

Link to news: 8 Million Tons of Plastic Dumped in Ocean Every Year

Summary:

In 2010, eight million tons of plastic trash ended up in the ocean from coastal countries—far more than the total that has been measured floating on the surface in the ocean's "garbage patches."

Until now, most efforts to measure ocean debris have involved sample counts of plastic floating on the surface in large garbage patches in each of the world's oceans. A study last year, for example, estimated the amount of floating trash to be 245,000 tons at most.

Opinion:

In my opinion, people should not use so much plastic and be so wasteful. Upon reading this, I felt that this is truly bad news. We are creating too much waste and now the ocean is filled with plastics, described as 'five grocery bags of trash on every foot of coastline around the globe' due to our wastefulness. It greatly threatens marine life. The marine animals could mistake them as food, and they could die from choking on it. Marine species could go extinct due to our selfish actions. We might even end up eating plastics ourselves, because we eat the marine animals. 

Therefore, this should be on the front cover to raise awareness about the deteriorating state of the environment. It is important to raise awareness and for people to change their ways as it will affect the future, not just our own but as well as future generations. Thus, if this article is placed on the cover page, more people would read it and would be more aware of this situation and stop ruining the earth.

Introduction: Yan Yang and Alvina

Yan Yang: My name is Lu Yan Yang. I was in the class 2B last year. I am register number 12. I came from Pei Tong Primary School. I like to watch anime, read, draw and listen to music when I have free time.

Alvina: My name is Lim Ze Hui, Alvina and I was previously from 2B, a very fun class. My CCA is String Ensemble and I play the Viola. I used to study in Concord Primary School which is just 5 minutes away from my house in Choa Chu Kang. My hobbies are listening to music, watching dramas, playing the piano and hanging out with my friends. Many of my friends had told me that they were hesitant to approach me at our first meeting as I look fierce and serious, but trust me, I'm actually friendly :D