Marketing Plan Dutch Lady Milk Industries Essay

Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad (â€Å"DLMI†) is a leader in the quality branded dairy business in Malaysia. It was incorporated in 1963, and was the first milk company in Malaysia to be listed on Bursa Malaysia, the local Stock Exchange in 1968. Its holding company is Royal FrieslandCampina, a Dutch multinational corporation and one of the largest milk companies in the world. Permodalan Nasional Berhad is the second largest shareholder in the Company. Corporate Vision: To spread the goodness of milk to everyone. Corporate Mission: To create value for our owners, in short and long term, by means of profitable dairy activities. To develop, produce and market a broad range of reliable, natural and nutritious dairy products that contribute to well-being and vitality of life. To recognize that know-how, quality, dedication and leadership of our employees are the most crucial assets to achieve our targets. For generations, Dutch Lady Milk Industries principal business is to supply quality dairy and infant nutrition products to the nation. Today Dutch Lady ranks among the top three dairy producers in Malaysia. Generations of Malaysians have grown up on Dutch Lady dairy products. While Dutch Lady first established itself as a manufacturer of sweetened condensed milk, Dutch Lady Milk Industries’ extensive product range now spans from infant formula and growing up milk to fruit juice and yoghurt snacks. Every product innovation that rapidly develops infant and child formula range is backed by extensive research both locally and internationally. DLMI is the largest purchaser of local fresh milk from the Veterinary Services Department. It also supports local industries by using a substantial amount of local ingredients such as palm oil and sugar in its products. The quality of the Company’s products is paramount. Quality Control and Quality Assurance are prime considerations. In line with this, the Company has continually been accredited with ISO 9001 certification since 1995. Strong emphasis is also placed on food safety with the implementation of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) System to cover all its plants. Since it commenced manufacturing in 1963, DLMI has steadily expanded its operations in Malaysia. Its chilled plant is one of  the most modern in South East Asia. SECTION 2.0 BUSINESS OVERVIEW Figure 1 Total market for Chilled Business [2] Source: DLMI (2009) As shown in Figure 1, the total chilled (total of eating yoghurt, yoghurt drink and cultured milk) market is consistently growing but at a very slow rate. Therefore, Dutch Lady is hoping to play a role in growing this niche market where most players neglect. From a recent study done by a third party, consumers nowadays are vey health conscious and are ready to take up anything that could help benefit their health. This is especially helpful with the females growing interest in getting slim through exercise or daily intake of nutritious yoghurt. Figure 2 Chilled Business Volume Percentage Share by Players [3] Source: ACNielsen Malaysia (2009) DLMI is currently at third position in terms of percentage volume share for chilled business in comparison to M’sia Milk, the market leader and Nestle at second. This is due to DLMI’s limited chilled product line. M’Sia Milk, though only provides Fresh and Low Fat Milk, their best seller are the 2 Litres package size and therefore, in terms of volume and value they are still the market leader. Nestle on the other hand offers a wider chilled product line by offering yoghurt, yoghurt drinks and cultured milk. These are the plausible reasons for DLMI inability to capture a larger market size because it neither produces 2 Litre package size milk not does it offers cultured milk as part of its chilled product line. Currently, the market is desperate for some product excitement and flavours. This could provide DLMI the opportunity to capture the market through target groups and segmentation of the market which will be discussed later in the other sections. Moreover, by collecting enough information of the potential areas, DLMI could use the marketing mix to help boost their sales and have a larger consumer base for the chilled market. In order to gel all these ideas into possible actions, the author would like to propose a bold move into introducing the ‘Tropicana’ flavor for all range and pack size for both yoghurt and drinking yoghurt. This Tropicana flavor will definitely draw attention and create a new group of consumers. Plus no other competitor products have come out with such thrilling flavor, therefore these would definitely appeal to those whom  are bored of the old traditional flavours and are looking for new range of stimulation for their taste buds. SECTION 3.0 TARGET MARKET Figure 3 Sales Review for Chilled Product by Chain [4] Source: BW (2009) As depict in Figure 3, Giant chain supermarket is the one with the highest sales value growth for chilled business and Tesco at second place. Hence, DLMI could target the consumers from both these chains as the trend that can be seen here is that consumers prefer to purchase chilled products at chain supermarkets with warehouse concept. Giant and Tesco are typically a supermarket that builds on purchasing at bulk to keep the selling price as low as possible to attract consumers that are looking for supplies at below average market price. Consumers that purchase at Tesco and Giant are generally from the middle income group and form the Malay ethnic group as the main followed by Chinese ethnic as shown in Figure 4. For that reason, we could factor in these as part of the target group for the new ‘Tropicana’ flavor. Figure 4 Sales Review for Chilled Product by Chain [5] Source: Dunnhumby (2009) Presently, DLMI demarcation of area is by Central (Seremban, Pahang, Klang, Kajang, Petaling Jaya); East Coast (Kota Bahru, Kuantan); North (Perak, Penang, Kedah, Perlis); South (Melaka, Batu Pahat, Johor Bahru); Sabah and Sarawak. And as shown in Figure 5, the AMS for Central seems to be the most promising area of development followed by South and then North. Therefore, it is safe to conclude that consumers at more developed areas are more particular towards living a healthy lifestyle. Figure 5 Average Monthly Sales of Chilled Business by Area [6] Source: BW (2009) Therefore, the target market that DLMI is looking at to grow their chilled market share is through three different target groups: Middle income group which frequent hypermarkets or supermarkets at central, south and north region with basket size of about RM35 to RM40 per visit; Teenagers age 35 and below whom are at the launch of their career and tends to emphazise slimming and natural beauty; Adults age 35 and above whom are more health concious towards living a longer healthy life. Since yoghurts and yoghurt  drinks are classified as convenience products as it is bought frequently and immediately at reasonably low price with many point of sales, it is therefore considered a potential market which DLMI would like to nurture in hope that they could construct a loyal customer base as a platform for future consumers while at the same time educating these consumers about the importance of eating and staying healthy. The ‘Tropicana’ flavour would be able to cater to these group of health concious consumers because it is rich in nutrients from all the mix tropical fruits. SECTION 4.0 LONG TERM AND SHORT TERM GOALS SHORT TERM Chilled products are very dependent on promotions, therefore for the short term goal, DLMI hope to successfully execute all promotions planned throughout the year as depicted in Table 2. The selections of the promotion are during festive seasons where consumers are more likely to spend more. The author is hoping to be a trend setter using these promotion plans by encouraging consumers to purchase more yoghurt drinks and yoghurt as a festive item instead of just a convenience product. That is the very reason why most of the promotions for the chilled products are conducted during festive seasons and national fairs. Table 2 Promotion Plan for Chilled Products [7] Source: DLMI (2009) LONG TERM In the long term however, DLMI is hoping to be able to strengthen the position further if the initial establishment succeed. These are the few long term actions that DLMI could consider: Focus on key outlets with key SKUs; Listing of only the top flavours; Operation support from chain supermarket to build business further; Conduct cross promo with any value added product; Secure additional space for greater visibility; Implementation of segmentation according to agreed planogram; Implement trade schemes to drive distribution; Mount activities to convert competitor users; Promotional activities to reward loyal users; Induce trial through giving out free sample pack size. These long term plan are also meant to be continuously conducted throughout each year to secure the share of business in the chilled market. SECTION 5.0 MARKETING STRATEGIES Figure 6 Marketing Above The Line 360 º Activation [8] Source: DLMI (2009) DLMI 360 º activation plan is one form of marketing strategy to create brand awareness and ideally brand preference among existing consumers and possibly new users who will prefer a new sort of exciting taste. The awareness campaign will touch on all forms of media from online advertising to advertising on the shelf itself to news and ads. ADVERTISING DLMI will roll out a coordinated advertising campaign to emphasize the following points: Dutch Lady yoghurt is getting better, with a new and refurbished new ‘Tropical’ flavor. DLMI could consider using print and broadcast ads in women-oriented mediums several weeks before the new introduction of products to inform people of how healthy is Dutch Lady’s yoghurt and changing to meet their needs. Billboards, television, radio, and display signs will be primary vehicles for this. About two weeks before introduction, our ads will change from stressing our company image to stressing product line imaging. DLMI will also run specific ads the ‘Tropical’ flavor product stressing its benefits to the consumers. This specific part of the campaign will primarily use magazines, radio, and other mediums targeted at the under 25 aged crowd. After product introduction, will run advertising to persuade and remind consumers of our new products. There will be a customized advertisement of the video which shows the new ‘Tropical’ flavor with a silent background to serve the product tagline. PUBLIC RELATIONS DLMI will pursue the following public relations oriented programs: DLMI will put together a press kit showing L’Oreal’s commitment to grow and serve the Dutch market. We will include key facts including our additions to the employment rolls and charitable contributions. We will look to host and/or  sponsor events that appeal to our target markets. For our more mature audience with increased dispensable income, we will sponsor a â€Å"Women in Business† seminar. Women in key roles as models or local actresses can be presenters. For those women at home, we will look into sponsoring events that will appeal more to them – something along the lines of a home and/or garden show and conventional housewives will be chosen as the product ambassador. We also are excited about creating Health Shows geared towards the younger and first time consumers. The Shows will focus on education of terms, etc. and actual hands-on training. They can be arranged on a small scale , e.g. a booth at a mall, to a larger event at a local hall with many booths. We will donate a portion of sales of the new ‘Tropical’ flavour towards slimming research. This will be displayed on all advertisements associated with the new flavour product. PRODUCT TAGLINE â€Å"THE TROPICAL SILENCE THAT BRINGS HARMONY TO YOUR HEALTH† PRODUCT VIDEO * Please refer to attached flash video* SECTION 6.0 SITUATION ANALYSES GIANT S.W.O.T. ANALYSES GIANT CUSTOMER – GIANT STRENGTHS WEAKNESS C H A N E L Hypermarket Wide distribution network with high number of stores. (Total: 110 outlets, EM: 10 outlets and PM: 91 outlets) Giant operation team welcome in-store approaches on tactical promotions (priority given to top suppliers) Store layout with event area for in-store activities Space allocation for activities at â€Å"Kids Playground†. Issues at HQ:- No yearly promotion calendar to be furnished to suppliers for promotion planning. No full control over space allocation at store level for promotions Scan sales data provided to Category Captain limited to 7 Hypermarkets. No standard concept for HS display at CS/Supermarkets due to no plan-o-gram design for these channels. Plan-o-gram of stores is sometimes influenced by competitor Issues at DC:- No system to measure on-time delivery to stores. Weakness of delivery window to stores (too big gap from date of orders receipt to delivery that cause stock issues at store level. Capacity issue to manage high stock weight/turnover. Issues at Store Level:- Some of the store buyers are lack of understanding of internal SOP and not discipline in ordering -> lead to replenishment issues at store level. Service problems of Chilled vendors to supermarkets/CS Supermarket Cold Storage GIANT CUSTOMER – GIANT OPPORTUNITIES THREATS C H A N E L Hypermarkets Low store productivity due to issues at DC and store level. Store expansion (5 hypermarkets & 10 supermarkets) Joint forecast with Giant in order to have smooth pipeline to stores and improve forecast accuracy. Nestle is given priority by DC on storage and  delivery to outlets (due to top-to-top agreement on sales target and incentives). Consistency in stock deliveries of competitors that helped their A&V at store level and promotion execution. Supermarket SOS improvement by initiating plan-o-gram for CS/ Supermarkets and influence store buyers to allocate more SOS to DL products. Customised promotion for Supermarkets/CS that has different shopper profile. Cold Storage GIANT DLMI IN CUSTOMER (GIANT) DLMI VS COMPETITION STRENGTH WEAKNESS OPPORTUNITIES THREATS C A T E G O R I E S Chilled We are No. 3 suppliers in Chilled category after Cotra and F&N. Strong brand equity. We are lack of focus in Chilled compared to Ambient and no creativity in promotion activity. Our facing is less prominent compared to competitors. According to Giant CM, shopper behaviour is trending towards bulk purchase in chilled category. Customized promotion in Giant to associate DLMI image of dairy expert Competitors (Cotra and Nestle) are dominant in this category. RTE We are No. 2 supplier in this category after Nestle. We are offered lower margin to Giant compared to other suppliers. Multipack promotion (Buy 4 at RMxx) to encourage bulk purchase. Mini road show for LF RTE and DKY in order to bring new excitement to shoppers. Stiff competition from Nestle:- 60% contribution to total sales Deep pocket and react fast to competition. Category captain. Dominant SOS at store level. Shine DKY Continual innovation from DLMI who has strong market share in DKY segment. Creative to bring new things to shoppers, Lack of communication for benefits of â€Å"green tea extract† to the shoppers although it’s one of the key selling points. Based on TNS research, we are strong in retail chain with high % of Chinese compared to those with high % of Malay (i.e. Giant). Lack of margin to retailer (as above for RTE). Communication of product benefits via sampling at selected stores. Giant has the right shopper profile for SHINE to build a bigger consumer base. Promotion differentiation (i.e. TP FOC premium) to target Giant’s shoppers (Based on TNS research, promotion with premium giveaway is proven effective in this category). Customized promotion for CS that captured the target shoppers. Explore TP/Triple packs promo to increase volume. Road show to create awareness and enhance communication to the target shoppers. TESCO S.W.O.T. ANALYSES TESCO CUSTOMER – TESCO STRENGTH WEAKNESS OPPORTUNITIES THREATS C H A N E L Hypermarket Tesco is well-positioned for further growth to be No. 1 Retailer Limited products range offer to customers as Tesco’s selection on high quality products, good turnover brands and high profit margin. Strong expansion with 10 outlets opening (5 in Q2-Q3 & 2 in Q4) No full control and influence over space allocation as category captain. Competency in supply chain management and efficiency. Centralized system in Tesco that facilitates its EDLC operating model whilst building service levels. Tesco’s regulation leads to inflexibility in execution such as no premium, no cross-category promo etc. With the strength of operating system and supply chain in Tesco to drive efficiency and improve stock turn ratios. Joint forecast is required especially during promotion to maximize the sales opportunity. Tesco is a value-led retailer; its pricing policy is to â€Å"be the right price on all comparable products versus the benchmark† and to be the â€Å"best value retailer†. Tesco’s ability to gain customer insight, perform robust customer segmentation and deliver personalized marketing communication from its Club card loyalty Facing difficulties on stocks replenishment to be influenced at store level as store buyers are very dependent on system. The shopper behaviour insight gained from Tesco’s loyalty card data is currently used by Tesco in strategic decision-making, and to drive promotional activity Tesco has developed great expertise in private label development, and enable it to differentiate its offer from its competitors, build brand loyalty, grow margin and demonstrate both price and quality credentials. With the strong operating system and strategy having by Tesco, strong influence power from HQ to store level on execution and operation issue to leads the smooth process Have long term initiatives calendar plan (12 month rolling initiatives calendar) in order to work closely with Tesco (eg, P&G, Nestle and Dumex) Tesco is growing ag gressively to become big player in the retail market and it has market leading position which empowered them to have better negotiation power and demand against suppliers. PRODUCT COMPETITION ANALYSES Type DLMI Chilled Products Competing Products Eating Yoghurt Low Fat Nestle Fat Free, Marigold 0% Fat, F&N Alive, Private Label Drinking Yoghurt Low Fat & SHINE Nestle Bliss, Sunglo Lassi, Private Label SECTION 7.0 ACTION PLAN / IMPLEMENTATION Objective To be the strong No 2 position in the chilled market Selected strategy To focus on major promotion with 3 major fair and to participate in milk campaign Action Who By When Resources Measures To maintain at least 3 times promotion KAM & TM Mac, July & Nov Mktg Incremental of 80% – 90% To participate in 3 major fair & Milk For Life campaign KAM & TM Jun Mktg Anniversary & Milk For Life Campaign. Promotion generates about 200-400% growth, approx RM 700k To explore carton sales KAM Quarterly TM & Mktg Especially on RTE and DKY To create customized pack KAM Jun TM & Mktg Especially on RTE and DKY SECTION 8.0 CONCLUSIONS To conclude, even though chilled category is still at its infancy stage, the potential to grow is there. More and more Malaysians are becoming more health conscious and they are constantly looking for new exciting reasons for them to continue staying healthy. Other than that, Malaysians also tend to only buy chilled products only during promotions periods or when and as needed. Therefore such a mindset should be change and Dutch Lady should be a trend setter for such changes to happen. The proposed of this new flavor is also an opportunity for DLMI to open a new window to educate the consumers that besides exercising, the only way to stay healthy is to eat and drink healthy too. The author would again reiterate that all data provided are drilled solely by the author alone. The sources of the data taken are from the programmes and third party software that capture real life scan sales data and consumer off take. Read more: http://www.ukessays.com/essays/marketing/marketing-plan-dutch-lady-milk-industries-marketing-essay.php#ixzz37v6oAx4k

No Pain No Gain

„No pain, no gain† It’s completely true that you can’t accomplish anything without going through some sort of pain. Life is brutal. If we dream to be successful and victorious in something that we want to achieve, we have to prepare for a lot of hard work and some ups and downs, which will bring us some thoughts to give up. Who said that life is going to be easy? No pain, no gain. Is this statement totally true? To start with, we have to endure much during life nowadays, in order to achieve the social and material status desired by so many people.You have to go through a lot of pain, especially moral pain, because you often feel unsatisfied and discouraged. The key point to success is motivation. Without motivation you will achieve nothing and you will be not able to withstand the cruel road to success. Motivation is something that push you to work harder, makes our goals achievable and helps to beat all the pain and problems, which disturb us. In addition, I will give you an perfect example, which superbly shows difficulties of assiduous work to achieve some kind of success. This is athlete’s lifestyle.They have to completely devote themselves to be the best in their sport domain. They risk all their future, I mean school, knowledge, relationship, to be on top and successful. They often have some moments that they think it was bad decision and that they do have no motivation and power to continue this hard lifestyle, so they think about giving up. But when these athletes will grit their teeth, keep hard working and feel the taste of success, all these problems will vanish and they will be happy that their hard work brings awaited results.All things considered, if you want to be victorious in your work, you have to break some impediments and if you find some strength to do this, you will be totally satisfied and fulfilled in your job. That’s why you have to realize that nothing is going to hand itself to you – you have to work for it. And if that means going through some pain, it doesn’t matter, for if you work hard enough, you’ll definitely get some gain out of it.

Ajay Bam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

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Assessing How Well Companies Manage Their - Essay Example If a firm pays its bills with a 30-day delay, 2/3 of its purchases will be paid for in the current quarter. 5/6 of its bills will be paid for in the following quarter. If its payment delay is 60 days, 1/3 of its purchases will be paid for in the current quarter. 2/3 of its bills will be paid for in the following quarter. The vice president's proposal of accepting consumer credit cards yields a higher contribution of $1,152,000 as compared to the sales manager's proposal of looser credit policies that yields a contribution of only $590,000. Therefore, Moorer Corporation would be better off under the vice president's proposal. Credit sales should not be abolished. Though credit sales would result in uncollectible accounts receivable, abolishing credit sales altogether would result in lost sales that might be more than the uncollectible accounts receivable. This is because it is common practice nowadays, especially in the sale of luxury consumer goods. 1. John Burton should develop a JIT inventory system. A JIT inventory system reduces in-process inventory and its associated cost (Just in time, n.d.). JIT manufacturing means making a good or service only when the customer, internal or external, requires it (Atkinson et al., 1996). The process is driven by a series of signals, or Kanban, that tell production processes to make the next part.

The role of fashion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The role of fashion - Essay Example The essay "The role of fashion" discovers the role of fashion. The denotative meaning is also called a principle meaning. Using this perspective, clothes is defined as the protection of our body. However, this level of understanding does not reveal the clothing’s fundamental function in a culture. At the connotative level, fashion is interpreted at a secondary level significant and important within a social and cultural convention. Semiotics plays an important role in visual rhetoric. The signs or codes are transferred from actual conversations (based on intuitive understand developed within the culture). These signs or codes are transferred into actual conversations based on these intuitive understanding that developed within a culture. Society is influential in establishing an individual’s identity through social constructs. What people wear and how we are wearing clothes should not affect the decision and preferences we have. Rather, it should become the basis for co nstructing the individual’s understanding of a belief within the society. Our choice of clothes, then, is not affected by a decision or a choice made by the individual. Rather, it depends on how he understands and believes in what the society dictates. Fashion, then, identifies and constructs one’s identity by using semiotics that developed within a culture. Fashion can also behave as a tool for non-verbal communication in different ways. This includes fashion’s role of suggesting one’s expression, political view.... This includes fashion’s role of suggesting one’s expression, political view, or social status or role. But even if fashion is not used as a definer of social role or expression, it is significant in the expression of one’s personality. These meanings are based on connotation level rather than denotation meaning. The power of semiotics is evident in the study of fashion and youth. This leads us to understand how fashion affects the personality and character of an individual, and vice versa. Even though everyone has the freedom to choose his own style, people tend to judge other people by these preferences. It is not unusual for someone to suspect another person sporting a Mohawk hairstyle or tattoo, and wearing ripped jeans, to be troublesome or delinquent. In the article, Hiding in the Light: Youth Surveillance and Display by Dick Hebdige, one’s appearance can put the young ones under suspicion of a crime. Hebdige asserts, â€Å"Pictures of punks and mods and skinheads, for instance are commonly regarded, even amongst many documentary practitioners, as unproblematic or as distractions from the real issues: visually interesting but ideologically suspect†(Hebdige, 19). This proves that even if the individual is using his fashion as a necessity of man, for the purpose of covering his body, the connotative meaning of his clothing disregards the denotative meaning. One’s clothing and appearance can be changed completely by social expectations and assumptions. Let’s use another example. Two people dress up in different styles. The first one has a punk style and the other has a formal and businesslike look. Because of his appearance and style, the punk would receive grave stares as people suspect him doing criminal acts.

Comparison Papper Malcom x vs William Shakespeare Essay

Comparison Papper Malcom x vs William Shakespeare - Essay Example Both assailed calumny or manipulation which in Shakespeare’s speech from Brutus justified his murder and villainy by alleging that he killed Caesar because he is ambitious and that Rome he is better off with Caesar dead. This was in the passage; In Malcom X’s speech however, this came from the gerrymandering of white (caucasian) politicians that when Negroes became concentrated in one area that is enough to become a political power, the political subdivisions are changed to disenfranchise the Negro. All sorts of effort were done to â€Å"con† and undermine the negro’s right to vote as exegete it saying as â€Å"senators and congressmen standing up filibustering and doing all other kinds of trickery to keep the Negro from being able to vote†. Both speakers were also addressing an undiscerning and unsophisticated crowd. In Malcolm X, the speech referred to the Negroes â€Å"dumb vote, your ignorant vote, your wasted vote put in an administration in Washington, D.C., that has seen fit to pass every kind of legislation imaginable† while in Shakespeare, both Brutus and Anthony were addressing a mob who would agree to whatever they will say until Anthony won them over with a speech that effectively refuted Brutus speech that Caesar has to be killed because of his ambition; Both also justified violence or murder as a political solution. Albeit Brutus was more brutal because he personally slew Caesar under a shady motive even if Caesar is his close friend. Worst, he made it appear as if Caesar deserved it and his death is good for Rome by saying â€Å"Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men?† Malcolm X speech however was replete of justification why it has to come to ballots or bullets. He argues that the eyes of the negroes are already open and his consciousness is already alive and he will

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The European Convention on Human Rights & a scenario type of question - Essay Example Again, the universal rights are observed to remain uniform in the various paradigms of the society and are applied equally irrespective of gender, mental capacities, physical aspects and the ethnicity as persisting within the society. The moral rights are inalienable. Taking into consideration the legal rights, these are artificial and are mainly created by the governments. Similarly, legal rights are usually applied to people within a particular society under the particular legal system. In this regard, various human rights legislation has been determined in order to protect the human rights within the society. In order to maintain the human rights of the people, the government of the UK had introduced the Human Rights Act in the year 1998 (HRA) (The Open University, 2012; The Open University, 2011). Correspondingly, this essay intends to discuss about the application of The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Furthermore, the essay will discuss about the implementation of t he HRA 1998 within the UK. This particular essay further intends making critical evaluation as to whether or not UK protects the fundamental rights being mentioned in the ECHR. The Human Rights Act 1998 mainly delivers direction to the European Court of Human Rights conventions that binds the other courts of the UK. This reflects that the decisions being undertaken by the ECHR become the benchmark for the UK courts to follow it. The enactment of the ECHR mainly resulted from the work pertaining to the Council of Europe succeeding the Second World War. The aim of the Council of Europe being framed was mainly to achieve accelerated unity amidst the existing members with a motive to safeguard as well as realise the principles pertaining to the common heritage. Besides, the particular body also facilitates the social along with the economic progress in this regard. The Council of Europe further aims at applying the strategies being undertaken in

Direct Manipulation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Direct Manipulation - Research Paper Example This way, users meet their senses of control (Allison et al., 2012). The second principle is quick, flexible, and incremental actions (Bennett and Flach, 2011). The impacts of these actions on simulated objects are instantly visible. Otherwise known as the principle of virtuality, this principle shows direct manipulation can represent a controllable reality. This principle is applied in video game controls through fast-response correspondence between game controller manipulation and video game response. Examples of virtual responses in video games are characters, weapons, vehicles, or natural and manmade surroundings. Numerous actions are flexible under the rules of a video game. For instance, walking, opening, or closing doors, picking or dropping items are physical, reversible actions that video game controls manipulate through direct manipulation (Richer and Drury, 2006). Lastly, direct manipulation allows the user to make physical actions by pressing marked buttons on a controlling device rather than using compound syntax (Booth, 2014). Direction manipulation under this principle occurs with physical actions such as pointing at an object using a cursor rather than typing a pointing command. This principle fosters a feeling of immersion directly in a virtual reality instead of interacting with an intermediate. Video game controls have marked buttons that foster tasks that concentrate on local and precise interaction with virtual characters or objects. With video game controls, users do not have to type commands for characters or objects to interact with their virtual surroundings (Allison et al., 2012). Video game-type interfaces give users required information and control abilities in an interactive and enjoyable manner. These interfaces successfully streamline input/output frameworks. To a user, these streamlining protocols make a video game slightly more than just an interface. Many computer programs have interfaces that act as intermediaries for

Environment Pollution Essay Example for Free

Environment Pollution Essay As you know, China is well known on its 5000 years history, and it’s also famous for producing poisonous food and the worst environment pollution. Living in a developing country, Chinese develop industry and handicraft industry, and making money as much as they can. Compare with environment pollution, Chinese business man more care about how much money they could make per day. There are millions of factories in China mainland. And thousands of factories are being built right now. Before factories were built, owner or designer usually choose the factory location which nearby the river or lake. Locals usually drink and take water from the river or lake. Some rivers even provide water to several cities. Usually, an industry factory could produce poisonous waste water 350 m? /h and exhaust gas or smog 14000m? /h. But each factory could treat poisonous waste water 30m? /h. that means over 300m? /h poisonous waste water cannot be treated and be discharged into river or lake. In each factory, the equipment for exhaust treatment is required, but the most factories discharge exhaust treatment into air without treatment. Industry community usually is the high incidence area of cancer and oaf. Animals which are living nearby or living in the rivers and lakes, are bigger or with strange appearance. Farmers who are local, usually take water from river or lack for irrigation and raising livestock. Locals get disease on drinking poisonous water, eating poisonous food, and breathing in seriously polluted area. In China, living healthier become people’s dream and hope. Everybody hopes long live and having a healthy life. Over 70% Chinese are not covered by health insurance, and medical bill is going higher and higher, over 85% locals cannot handle it. People usually stay at home and wait for death when they get disease. Living in polluted area make people more worry about their descendants. People start to move to foreign country for a better environment. Let descendants have a chance to live in a healthier living environment also become their goal.

Recommendations for the Children Act 2004

Recommendations for the Children Act 2004 The Children Act 2004 created the office of Childrens Commissioner. If you were to be appointed to this office, which changes and innovations would you propose to the law and policy relating to children and the family to ensure that your function is fulfilled? How would you justify such changes and innovations? Introduction The Children Act 2004[1] was the product of a Government consultation exercise informed by the publication of the Every Child Matters[2] Green Paper which was drawn up to complement the Government’s formal response to the Victoria Climbià ¯Ã†â€™Ã‚ ©, Inquiry Report.[3] The Act provided for the establishment of the post of Children’s Commissioner to ensure a voice and lobbyist for children and young people at a national level. The current incumbent of this post is Professor Al Aynsley-Green. Section 2 of the Children Act stipulates that the Commissioners role will be to promote awareness of the interests and views of children and young adults up to the age of 20 including those in care or with learning disabilities. The Commissioner is also empowered to hold inquiries on direction by the Secretary of State or on his own initiative into cases of individual children with wider policy relevance This paper makes various proposals aimed at improving the current regime of law, policy and administration concerning the welfare of children and vulnerable young adults in the United Kingdom.[4] Bullying in Schools Bullying is a serious issue and something that affects the life of almost every child at one point or another in their time at school. It is also an issue for adult society, given that bullies sometimes take their habits into later life and that victims may harbour profound emotional scars long after they grow up. Bullying is consistently highlighted as a key concern, if not the paramount concern, in surveys of children.[5] As such it is submitted that proposals for action in this field would be warmly welcomed. The recent Anti-Bullying Week, which was coordinated by Professor Aynsley-Green, received considerable media attention and attracted the support of high profile media and sporting celebrities such as David Beckham. This indicates that there is widespread support for advances in policy in this area and this is significant because the likelihood of a proposal’s successful adoption and implementation is an important criterion in deciding which suggestions to put forward for consideration. Some shocking incidents have recently increased the momentum behind calls for innovative and progressive enhancement of society’s response to the problem of bullying. In November 2005 Natashia Jackman, aged 15, was attacked by three girls at a school in Surrey.[6] One of the girls used a pair of scissors to attack Natashia, stabbing her in the eye and face. It transpired that Natashia had been the victim of prolonged and concerted bullying at school. It is submitted that tough new intervention in this field is necessary before the situation escalates into one where a terrible incident such as one that occurred in this case takes place. Even more serious are the suicides of schoolchildren who are driven to a final act of desperation after being victimised by other children in classrooms and playgrounds.[7] If given the opportunity outlined in the title to this paper this commentator would make a proactive and effective anti-bullying policy a top priority for immediate action. In particular the following reforms are recommended: (a) A senior member of teaching staff at every primary and secondary school should be appointed as bullying surveillance officer. This position should be recognised and incorporated within the workload of the staff concerned, allowing sufficient time for the fulfilment of this duty and the role should be subject to external quality assessment, just as teaching is. (b) External speakers should be engaged to address children on bullying at school assembly. These should include authority figures such as police officers (who can explain the criminal consequences of such action), adult victims of bullying who can relate the experiences and the impact bullying had on them with force and even celebrities and notable figures could be enlisted to tour schools and offer influential advice. Professional footballer Rio Ferdinand recently starred in an anti-bullying television campaign[8] and it should be possible to gather together a sizeable team of prominent people who could participate in a scheme that would grab the attention of pupils and speak to them at their level. (c) Specialist bullying mediators should be appointed to local education areas with appropriate skills and experience and a dedicated remit to deal with bullying both at school and in the homes of victims and perpetrators alike. It is argued that teachers simply don’t have the training to conduct such sensitive work and negotiation and the matter is too serious to be left to concerned amateurs, no matter how much classroom experience they may have. (d) Pupils at all levels should be required to sign an anti-bullying pledge which emphasises that acquiescence in the face of bullying is an act that will itself attract punitive sanction under the school’s disciplinary code. Almost all of us will remember witnessing bullying, often sustaining bullying, of particular children from our schooldays, and almost all of us will probably regret failing to intervene to assist at the time. (e) School disciplinary mechanisms should deal sharply with any incidents of bullying, imposing stern and escalating punishments including suspension and possible exclusion and involving parents at an early stage. Moreover, the victims of bullying must be effectively protected in the process. There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that teachers sometimes prefer to deal with the complaints of one set of parents of a bullied child, rather than tackle four or five sets of parents of the bullies themselves. This is an appalling state of affairs and one that must be brought to an end forthwith. (f) A peer mentoring system should be introduced nationwide, to offer the victims of bullying the opportunity to speak with respected older children who have undergone training. Occasionally victims will be intimidated by the prospect of complaining to a teacher or even a parent. The other advantage of this suggested scheme is that peer mentors will typically have a better grasp of ‘ground-level’ activities and politics within a school than the most well- informed teachers. A range of incentives could be offered for participation in this scheme, and volunteering might prove especially attractive to older students with one eye on character references for work and university. (g) A comprehensive national education and advertising campaign should be launched to back up these reforms. If sustained, such a campaign is capable of producing an attitudinal shift in society from one of generally passive acquiescence to one of intolerance and proactive intervention. Thirty years ago car seatbelts were considered an annoyance at worst and an optional extra at best, however a concerted campaign shifted opinions to such an extent that for most people riding in a car without a seatbelt is now unthinkable just a generation later. Public campaigns have proved equally successful in such fields as passive smoking and there is no reason why a properly funded and lengthy anti-bullying campaign could not produce a similar seismic shift in our collective attitude to the activity. Better coordination, clarified responsibilities, increased funding This commentator would make it a priority to bash heads together (ie. encourage better liaison and cooperation) among local authorities and key agencies to improve the service that they collectively provide to children. At present too many children either fall through the cracks in the system or have pressing needs overlooked because the division of responsibilities between different agencies and bodies is unclear, piecemeal and patchy. Perhaps the best and most notorious example of this problem is the appalling case of Victoria Climbie, the inquiry into which presented shocking findings suggesting poor communication and coordination between responsible agencies. Moreover the general scarcity of resources dictates that it is often difficult for agencies to extend themselves beyond their own traditional spheres of activity in cases which may merit such action. It should surely be a priority in any general programme of reform to support child welfare professionals, be they working in the social services, police, education or health services, in an effort to work together more effectively, share information to identify difficulties and concerns, and provide the appropriate assistance more efficiently. To this end the creation of universal national database holding all information relevant to children and young people and the interests that concern them is recommended. It is time to exploit fully the exponentially growing power of technology in a way that is beneficial to children. A policy aimed at improved integration and enhanced cooperation must also entail measures to ensure better and clearer accountability for childrens services. For too long children have suffered from ambiguities in this crucial area. It is contended that concrete accountability in particular should perhaps be the ultimate aim of any proposed reform. Public and professional accountability is without doubt to best way guarantee diligence in any office. This clutch of proposals must go hand in hand with concerted lobbying for more funds from Government. Quality costs that is something that every parent understands on an individual level in respect to the care of their own children and it is something that the community should be susceptible to accept on a collective basis for the nation’s young. It is submitted that such a funding priority should prove more popular with the electorate than almost any other drain on the public purse. In simple terms, it can only be a vote winner for a Government beset with criticism over funding of such endeavours as the Iraq War and it chimes with the overarching policy of comprehensive, all-inclusive care endorsed by the Beveridge report[9] which founded the welfare state. Child Health and Welfare It is proposed that new policies are implemented to address specific problems that affect the health and well-being of the nation’s youth. While some apparent progress has been made in other sections of society it is damning fact that smoking rates are actually on the increase among children, in particular girls.[10] Approximately sixteen per cent of girls currently smoke, compared to around twelve per cent of boys. More than half of all children, male and female have consumed alcohol and a significant number are regular drinkers. Perhaps more startling is the fact that around seventeen per cent of children have abused solvents and a similar proportion have taken drugs, such as cannabis. Around twelve per cent of children claim to be sexually active or at least to have had sexual experience. Married to this statistic is the fact that the United Kingdom is top of the European league table for teenage pregnancy. Another concern for the health and well-being of the nation’s children is linked to dwindling participation rates in physical activity, both in and out of school hours, and to the point that standards of nutrition are negatively affected by the high and increasing consumption of convenience foods, fast foods, carbonated drinks and sweets. Girls have slightly healthier nutritional tastes than boys on average but sweets and sugary drinks are consumed at around twice the rate of fresh fruit and vegetables on a meal by meal basis. In isolation every one of the above statistics is a cause for serious concern. When viewed collectively it is submitted that these facts present a startling picture which demands immediate and concerted attention. If this commentator was to be appointed Children’s Commissioner a basket of policies would be recommended to improve the health and welfare of the nation’s children. Proposals would include restrictions on advertising, tax measures designed to reward (rather than punish as is the case today) healthy dietary choices, and hard hitting campaigns educating about the risks of drug and substance abuse. It is hard to argue that the age for smoking should be increased above sixteen, given that a person can get married or join the army and fight and die for his or her country at that age. However, the sale of cigarettes to minors should be more rigorously detected and punished and general measures to deter smoking in the adult population would reduce both the number of role models and exposure to passive smoke in the home and community. In terms of sexual health, a policy leaning away from permissive rights to emphasise more strongly responsibilities and risks would be advocated and a more open and accessible sexual education programme, such as that successfully employed at Scandinavian schools would be suggested. Concluding Comments A society can be judged by the way in which it treats its most vulnerable citizens. The office of Children’s Commissioner carries the heavy burden of safeguarding and furthering the interests of the nation’s youth, which is the nation’s future, and as such it is a function that must be carried out with commitment, verve and vigour. It is submitted that the proposals set out in this short paper would, if implemented, attract popular support and therefore access to funding and improve the lot of children nationwide. Moreover, at first and indeed second sight it is hard to conceive of any cogent argument against the concerted pursuit of such objectives. As such these proposals merit serious consideration for prompt and wholehearted adoption. THE END WORD COUNT: 2298 (excluding footnotes bullying was given particular emphasis as requested) BIBLIOGRAPHY Every Child Matters, Department for Education and Skills (2003) Victoria Climbie, Inquiry Report, Lord Laming (2003) Report to Parliament on Social Insurance and Allied Services, (Cmd. 6404) London: HMSO, 1942 ISBN: 0108502767 Bullied Girl Stabbed with Scissors: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1868635,00.html Suicide ruling over bullied girls death, The Scotsman, 14 May 2005 Survey of smoking, drinking and drug use among secondary school children, Office of National Statistics: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/ssd/surveys/survey_smoking_drinking_drug_use_among_ secondary_school_children.asp 1 Footnotes [1] The Act received Royal Assent on 15th November 2004. [2] See: http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/socialinclusion/youngpeople/greenpaper.html [3] See: http://www.victoria-climbie-inquiry.org.uk/finreport/summary-report.pdf. [4] Although it is noted that there is a separate Commissioner for each national jurisdiction within the United Kingdom. [5] The BBC television programme Newsround provides an online forum on bullying. http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/specials/bullying/default.stm. [6] Bullied Girl Stabbed with Scissors: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1868635,00.html. [7] See: Suicide ruling over bullied girls death, The Scotsman, 14 May 2005; and, inter alia: http://www.tinotopia.com/log/archive/2002/03/26/bc_schoolgirl_bully_convicted.htm; [8] See: http://www.spiked-online.com/Articles/0000000CA8E9.htm. [9] Report to Parliament on Social Insurance and Allied Services, (Cmd. 6404) London: HMSO, 1942 ISBN: 0108502767. [10] See: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/ssd/surveys/survey_smoking_drinking_drug_use_among_secondary_school_children.asp

Essay --

Should an age limit be placed on child beauty pageants? Every Wednesday night, millions tune into TLC to see Toddlers & Tiaras and of course their ‘Crazy Pageant Mums’. The series has run for 6 seasons so far and follows the preparation before the pageants and the contests. The TLC hit has failed to show the dark side of child beauty pageants and the dangers that come with it. The show doesn’t show the 6am starts and the near starvation beforehand. This puts immense stress on the children and that is why I believe there should be a law which stops parents entering children into pageants under the age of 8. On one hand, many parents, promoters and judgers of such competitions believe that the beauty version of the Hunger Games is good for the young children. They believe that it creates confidence in the girls and helps them embrace themselves. It also is good for their self-esteem and attitude. It gives the girls a sense of structure and routine in their lives and prepares them for adult hood. On the other hand, people believe that it sexualizes children far too early and puts them ...

Fraud :: essays research papers

FRAUD MANY OF MY FRIENDS and acquaintances are still reluctant to use their credit-card numbers on the Internet, even to buy from well-known merchants over secure connections, and even when their credit-card issuers offer full protection against fraudulent charges. This side of the Internet fraud problem has received much more attention than the other side: that Internet merchants have no really effective way to protect themselves against credit-card fraud. Standard credit-card processing software will give the merchant an approval if the card account is valid, and has enough open credit to cover the sale. For cards issued by U.S. banks, there is an additional security feature called Address Verification System, or AVS. This compares the billing address associated with the card with the one entered by the merchant. The system works fairly well for goods shipped to billing addresses in the U.S. But there are two major gaps in protection. First, and most seriously, there is no AVS for cards issued by foreign banks. In other words, there is no way for a merchant to use the standard credit-card processing system to guarantee that a foreign credit-card transaction is valid. This forces them to use heuristic, and sometimes arbitrary, measures for fraud screening. My company, for example, won't fulfill orders from Romania, having been burned a few times too many. Customers with hotmail or other free, Web-based e-mail accounts have a point or two against them. Express shipping, ordering many items, and ordering the latest games (instead of reference or educational software) all reduce the likelihood that we'll accept the order. The case is similar for U.S. cards when the goods are shipped to an address other than the card's billing address. If we guess wrong and ship an order that turns out to be fraudulent - we usually find out months later - we get a "chargeback," meaning that the amount we received for the order is taken back from us. If we guess wrong the other way, refusing to ship a legitimate order, we risk alienating potential customers. My company manages to keep its chargbacks very low, but it's frustrating to be in this situation where there is no way to avoid doing the wrong thing from time to time. There are commercial fraud-screening services that filter credit-card transactions automatically, applying these and other checks, but they are not perfect. We have had limited success referring fraudulent transactions to collection agencies.

Ernest Hemingway: Prelude To A Tragedy :: essays research papers

Ernest Hemingway’s suicide was foreseen by most who knew him well. During his lifetime, he was a very well-rounded, yet seemingly unsatidfied man. He appeared to be afraid of nothing, not even death. In fact, in many of his poems and short stories conceited on death. His hobbies included bullfighting, big game hunting, and war, which all included the same risk: death. Hemingway saw that he was predestined to die, and his only hope was to face the inevitable stoically. He set colassal expectations for himself, and he looked at himself as a failure whenever he achieved a â€Å"less than great† status. Hemingway was very accident prone, and also inclined to become ill rather frequently. Also, his father committed suicide in 1928 due to depression and health problems.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hemingway was brought up in a somewhat prestigious family, and he was urged to follow the footsteps of his parents. His mother taught him music, and made sure he was well-educated in the arts, while his father wanted him to study medicine. His parents ran a strict household, and disciplined his well as his other siblings. In his youth years, Hemingway loved to go hunting and fishing and engage in war games with his friends.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When World War I began, Hemingway wanted to go fight, but his father forbade him to. Despite his father’s wishes, he went anyway. Unfortunately, because he had less than perfect eyesight, he was not allowed to fight. Instead he accepted a job as an ambulance driver in Italy, where he got a first-hand look at death.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hemingway traveled all over the world during his lifetime, writing about his experiences and everything he saw. He married four times, his longest relationship lasting only about twelve years. As mentioned before, Hemingway was very accident prone. In World War I, he was hit by some Austrailian artillary and seriously injured his leg. After numerous operations, he ended up with two hundred and twenty-seven scars on his leg. In another incident, he was involved in a plane crash, but no one was seriously injured. They managed to call out another plane, and as soon as it took off, it also crashed. In this accident, he lost virtually all use of his kidneys, which resulted in extremely high blood pressure. He was administered drugs to keep his blood pressure down, but one of the major side effect they had on him was depression. Hemingway developed a very withdrawn, moody personality, and often talked of suicide. His last wife, with whom he was still married, was very concerned about him and sent him to the Mayo clinic to treat

Aims and Objectives for a Selected Business Essay

†¢Describe what is meant by SMART objectives. An objective that follows SMART is more likely to succeed because it is clear (specific) so you know exactly what needs to be achieved. You can tell when it has been achieved (measurable) because you have a way to measure completion. A SMART objective is likely to happen because it is an event that is achievable. Before setting a SMART objective relevant factors such as resources and time were taken into account to ensure that it is realistic. Finally the timescale element provides a deadline which helps people focus on the tasks required to achieve the objective. The timescale element stops people postponing task completion. †¢Choose a business and describe its aim and 3 SMART objectives for how they can achieve their aim. TESCO: oTesco want to be able to keep their carbon emissions down by making new buildings, they also want to make their business objects which have to follow this method Specific – this means that the business can make some specific objectives that the business wants to achieve, so if they want to hit a certain target of profit within a year they have to make a business plan or model to follow to achieve their goal. oMeasurable – this means that if a business wants to make some money, they can measure it in a certain amount of time, so if a business can make  £1000 pound in a month, then maybe next month they could forecast making an increase of that amount by studying the business activities throughout that month. Achievable – this means that a goal that the business can achieve with in a time period, so if a business wants to make  £1000 pound of profit in a month, then they could make it happen with the products that they might have to sell. oRealistic – this means that a business has to make realistic goals which that they can achieve, so things like making  £1,500 pounds in a week, this is a realistic goal because it could be made depending on the sales in the that week. oTime related – this means that each objective is set with in certain time, so it is like a dead line, if a business sets out to make and sell 5 computers in two weeks, then they now have time to create the product and then sell it within the time set.

Twilight 10. INTERROGATIONS

10. INTERROGATIONS It was very hard, in the morning, to argue with the part of me that was sure last night was a dream. Logic wasn't on my side, or common sense. I clung to the parts I couldn't have imagined – like his smell. I was sure I could never have dreamed that up on my own. It was foggy and dark outside my window, absolutely perfect. He had no reason not to be in school today. I dressed in my heavy clothes, remembering I didn't have a jacket. Further proof that my memory was real. When I got downstairs, Charlie was gone again – I was running later than I'd realized. I swallowed a granola bar in three bites, chased it down with milk straight from the carton, and then hurried out the door. Hopefully the rain would hold off until I could find Jessica. It was unusually foggy; the air was almost smoky with it. The mist was ice cold where it clung to the exposed skin on my face and neck. I couldn't wait to get the heat going in my truck. It was such a thick fog that I was a few feet down the driveway before I realized there was a car in it: a silver car. My heart thudded, stuttered, and then picked up again in double time. I didn't see where he came from, but suddenly he was there, pulling the door open for me. â€Å"Do you want to ride with me today?† he asked, amused by my expression as he caught me by surprise yet again. There was uncertainty in his voice. He was really giving me a choice – I was free to refuse, and part of him hoped for that. It was a vain hope. â€Å"Yes, thank you,† I said, trying to keep my voice calm. As I stepped into the warm car, I noticed his tan jacket was slung over the headrest of the passenger seat. The door closed behind me, and, sooner than should be possible, he was sitting next to me, starting the car. â€Å"I brought the jacket for you. I didn't want you to get sick or something.† His voice was guarded. I noticed that he wore no jacket himself, just a light gray knit V-neck shirt with long sleeves. Again, the fabric clung to his perfectly muscled chest. It was a colossal tribute to his face that it kept my eyes away from his body. â€Å"I'm not quite that delicate,† I said, but I pulled the jacket onto my lap, pushing my arms through the too-long sleeves, curious to see if the scent could possibly be as good as I remembered. It was better. â€Å"Aren't you?† he contradicted in a voice so low I wasn't sure if he meant for me to hear. We drove through the fog-shrouded streets, always too fast, feeling awkward. I was, at least. Last night all the walls were down†¦ almost all. I didn't know if we were still being as candid today. It left me tongue-tied. I waited for him to speak. He turned to smirk at me. â€Å"What, no twenty questions today?† â€Å"Do my questions bother you?† I asked, relieved. â€Å"Not as much as your reactions do.† He looked like he was joking, but I couldn't be sure. I frowned. â€Å"Do I react badly?† â€Å"No, that's the problem. You take everything so coolly – it's unnatural. It makes me wonder what you're really thinking.† â€Å"I always tell you what I'm really thinking.† â€Å"You edit,† he accused. â€Å"Not very much.† â€Å"Enough to drive me insane.† â€Å"You don't want to hear it,† I mumbled, almost whispered. As soon as the words were out, I regretted them. The pain in my voice was very faint; I could only hope he hadn't noticed it. He didn't respond, and I wondered if I had ruined the mood. His face was unreadable as we drove into the school parking lot. Something occurred to me belatedly. â€Å"Where's the rest of your family?† I asked – more than glad to be alone with him, but remembering that his car was usually full. â€Å"They took Rosalie's car.† He shrugged as he parked next to a glossy red convertible with the top up. â€Å"Ostentatious, isn't it?† â€Å"Um, wow,† I breathed. â€Å"If she has that, why does she ride with you?† â€Å"Like I said, it's ostentatious. We try to blend in.† â€Å"You don't succeed.† I laughed and shook my head as we got out of the car. I wasn't late anymore; his lunatic driving had gotten me to school in plenty of time. â€Å"So why did Rosalie drive today if it's more conspicuous?† â€Å"Hadn't you noticed? I'm breaking all the rules now.† He met me at the front of the car, staying very close to my side as we walked onto campus. I wanted to close that little distance, to reach out and touch him, but I was afraid he wouldn't like me to. â€Å"Why do you have cars like that at all?† I wondered aloud. â€Å"If you're looking for privacy?† â€Å"An indulgence,† he admitted with an impish smile. â€Å"We all like to drive fast.† â€Å"Figures,† I muttered under my breath. Under the shelter of the cafeteria roof's overhang, Jessica was waiting, her eyes about to bug out of their sockets. Over her arm, bless her, was my jacket. â€Å"Hey, Jessica,† I said when we were a few feet away. â€Å"Thanks for remembering.† She handed me my jacket without speaking. â€Å"Good morning, Jessica,† Edward said politely. It wasn't really his fault that his voice was so irresistible. Or what his eyes were capable of. â€Å"Er†¦ hi.† She shifted her wide eyes to me, trying to gather her jumbled thoughts. â€Å"I guess I'll see you in Trig.† She gave me a meaningful look, and I suppressed a sigh. What on earth was I going to tell her? â€Å"Yeah, I'll see you then.† She walked away, pausing twice to peek back over her shoulder at us. â€Å"What are you going to tell her?† Edward murmured. â€Å"Hey, I thought you couldn't read my mind!† I hissed. â€Å"I can't,† he said, startled. Then understanding brightened his eyes. â€Å"However, I can read hers – she'll be waiting to ambush you in class.† I groaned as I pulled off his jacket and handed it to him, replacing it with my own. He folded it over his arm. â€Å"So what are you going to tell her?† â€Å"A little help?† I pleaded. â€Å"What does she want to know?† He shook his head, grinning wickedly. â€Å"That's not fair.† â€Å"No, you not sharing what you know – now that's not fair.† He deliberated for a moment as we walked. We stopped outside the door to my first class. â€Å"She wants to know if we're secretly dating. And she wants to know how you feel about me,† he finally said. â€Å"Yikes. What should I say?† I tried to keep my expression very innocent. People were passing us on their way to class, probably staring, but I was barely aware of them. â€Å"Hmmm.† He paused to catch a stray lock of hair that was escaping the twist on my neck and wound it back into place. My heart spluttered hyperactively. â€Å"I suppose you could say yes to the first†¦ if you don't mind – it's easier than any other explanation.† â€Å"I don't mind,† I said in a faint voice. â€Å"And as for her other question†¦ well, I'll be listening to hear the answer to that one myself.† One side of his mouth pulled up into my favorite uneven smile. I couldn't catch my breath soon enough to respond to that remark. He turned and walked away. â€Å"I'll see you at lunch,† he called over his shoulder. Three people walking in the door stopped to stare at me. I hurried into class, flushed and irritated. He was such a cheater. Now I was even more worried about what I was going to say to Jessica. I sat in my usual seat, slamming my bag down in aggravation. â€Å"Morning, Bella,† Mike said from the seat next to me. I looked up to see an odd, almost resigned look on his face. â€Å"How was Port Angeles?† â€Å"It was†¦Ã¢â‚¬  There was no honest way to sum it up. â€Å"Great,† I finished lamely. â€Å"Jessica got a really cute dress.† â€Å"Did she say anything about Monday night?† he asked, his eyes brightening. I smiled at the turn the conversation had taken. â€Å"She said she had a really good time,† I assured him. â€Å"She did?† he said eagerly. â€Å"Most definitely.† Mr. Mason called the class to order then, asking us to turn in our papers. English and then Government passed in a blur, while I worried about how to explain things to Jessica and agonized over whether Edward would really be listening to what I said through the medium of Jess's thoughts. How very inconvenient his little talent could be – when it wasn't saving my life. The fog had almost dissolved by the end of the second hour, but the day was still dark with low, oppressing clouds. I smiled up at the sky. Edward was right, of course. When I walked into Trig Jessica was sitting in the back row, nearly bouncing off her seat in agitation. I reluctantly went to sit by her, trying to convince myself it would be better to get it over with as soon as possible. â€Å"Tell me everything!† she commanded before I was in the seat. â€Å"What do you want to know?† I hedged. â€Å"What happened last night?† â€Å"He bought me dinner, and then he drove me home.† She glared at me, her expression stiff with skepticism. â€Å"How did you get home so fast?† â€Å"He drives like a maniac. It was terrifying.† I hoped he heard that. â€Å"Was it like a date – did you tell him to meet you there?† I hadn't thought of that. â€Å"No – I was very surprised to see him there.† Her lips puckered in disappointment at the transparent honesty in my voice. â€Å"But he picked you up for school today?† she probed. â€Å"Yes – that was a surprise, too. He noticed I didn't have a jacket last night,† I explained. â€Å"So are you going out again?† â€Å"He offered to drive me to Seattle Saturday because he thinks toy truck isn't up to it – does that count?† â€Å"Yes.† She nodded. â€Å"Well, then, yes.† â€Å"W-o-w.† She exaggerated the word into three syllables. â€Å"Edward Cullen.† â€Å"I know,† I agreed. â€Å"Wow† didn't even cover it. â€Å"Wait!† Her hands flew up, palms toward me like she was stopping traffic. â€Å"Has he kissed you?† â€Å"No,† I mumbled. â€Å"It's not like that.† She looked disappointed. I'm sure I did, too. â€Å"Do you think Saturday†¦ ?† She raised her eyebrows. â€Å"I really doubt it.† The discontent in my voice was poorly disguised. â€Å"What did you talk about?† She pushed for more information in a whisper. Class had started but Mr. Varner wasn't paying close attention and we weren't the only ones still talking. â€Å"I don't know, Jess, lots of stuff,† I whispered back. â€Å"We talked about the English essay a little.† A very, very little. I think he mentioned it in passing. â€Å"Please, Bella,† she begged. â€Å"Give me some details.† â€Å"Well†¦ okay, I've got one. You should have seen the waitress flirting with him – it was over the top. But he didn't pay any attention to her at all.† Let him make what he could of that. â€Å"That's a good sign,† she nodded. â€Å"Was she pretty?† â€Å"Very – and probably nineteen or twenty.† â€Å"Even better. He must like you.† â€Å"I think so, but it's hard to tell. He's always so cryptic,† I threw in for his benefit, sighing. â€Å"I don't know how you're brave enough to be alone with him,† she breathed. â€Å"Why?† I was shocked, but she didn't understand my reaction. â€Å"He's so†¦ intimidating. I wouldn't know what to say to him.† She made a face, probably remembering this morning or last night, when he'd turned the overwhelming force of his eyes on her. â€Å"I do have some trouble with incoherency when I'm around him,† I admitted. â€Å"Oh well. He is unbelievably gorgeous.† Jessica shrugged as if this excused any flaws. Which, in her book, it probably did. â€Å"There's a lot more to him than that.† â€Å"Really? Like what?† I wished I had let it go. Almost as much as I was hoping he'd been kidding about listening in. â€Å"I can't explain it right†¦ but he's even more unbelievable behind the face.† The vampire who wanted to be good – who ran around saving people's lives so he wouldn't be a monster†¦ I stared toward the front of the room. â€Å"Is that possible?† She giggled. I ignored her, trying to look like I was paying attention to Mr. Varner. â€Å"So you like him, then?† She wasn't about to give up. â€Å"Yes,† I said curtly. â€Å"I mean, do you really like him?† she urged. â€Å"Yes,† I said again, blushing. I hoped that detail wouldn't register in her thoughts. She'd had enough with the single syllable answers. â€Å"How much do you like him?† â€Å"Too much,† I whispered back. â€Å"More than he likes me. But I don't see how I can help that.† I sighed, one blush blending into the next. Then, thankfully, Mr. Varner called on Jessica for an answer. She didn't get a chance to start on the subject again during class, and as soon as the bell rang, I took evasive action. â€Å"In English, Mike asked me if you said anything about Monday night,† I told her. â€Å"You're kidding! What did you say?!† she gasped, completely sidetracked. â€Å"I told him you said you had a lot of fun – he looked pleased.† â€Å"Tell me exactly what he said, and your exact answer!† We spent the rest of the walk dissecting sentence structures and most of Spanish on a minute description of Mike's facial expressions. I wouldn't have helped draw it out for as long as I did if I wasn't worried about the subject returning to me. And then the bell rang for lunch. As I jumped up out of my seat, shoving my books roughly in my bag, my uplifted expression must have tipped Jessica off. â€Å"You're not sitting with us today, are you?† she guessed. â€Å"I don't think so.† I couldn't be sure that he wouldn't disappear inconveniently again. But outside the door to our Spanish class, leaning against the wall – looking more like a Greek god than anyone had a right to – Edward was waiting for me. Jessica took one look, rolled her eyes, and departed. â€Å"See you later, Bella.† Her voice was thick with implications. I might have to turn off the ringer on the phone. â€Å"Hello.† His voice was amused and irritated at the same time. He had been listening, it was obvious. â€Å"Hi.† I couldn't think of anything else to say, and he didn't speak – biding his time, I presumed – so it was a quiet walk to the cafeteria. Walking with Edward through the crowded lunchtime rush was a lot like my first day here; everyone stared. He led the way into the line, still not speaking, though his eyes returned to my face every few seconds, their expression speculative. It seemed to me that irritation was winning out over amusement as the dominant emotion in his face. I fidgeted nervously with the zipper on my jacket. He stepped up to the counter and filled a tray with food. â€Å"What are you doing?† I objected. â€Å"You're not getting all that for me?† He shook his head, stepping forward to buy the food. â€Å"Half is for me, of course.† I raised one eyebrow. He led the way to the same place we'd sat that one time before. From the other end of the long table, a group of seniors gazed at us in amazement as we sat across from each other. Edward seemed oblivious. â€Å"Take whatever you want,† he said, pushing the tray toward me. â€Å"I'm curious,† I said as I picked up an apple, turning it around in my hands, â€Å"what would you do if someone dared you to eat food?† â€Å"You're always curious.† He grimaced, shaking his head. He glared at me, holding my eyes as he lifted the slice of pizza off the tray, and deliberately bit off a mouthful, chewed quickly, and then swallowed. I watched, eyes wide. â€Å"If someone dared you to eat dirt, you could, couldn't you?† he asked condescendingly. I wrinkled my nose. â€Å"I did once†¦ on a dare,† I admitted. â€Å"It wasn't so bad.† He laughed. â€Å"I suppose I'm not surprised.† Something over my shoulder seemed to catch his attention. â€Å"Jessica's analyzing everything I do – she'll break it down for you later.† He pushed the rest of the pizza toward me. The mention of Jessica brought a hint of his former irritation back to his features. I put down the apple and took a bite of the pizza, looking away, knowing he was about to start. â€Å"So the waitress was pretty, was she?† he asked casually. â€Å"You really didn't notice?† â€Å"No. I wasn't paying attention. I had a lot on my mind.† â€Å"Poor girl.† I could afford to be generous now. â€Å"Something you said to Jessica†¦ well, it bothers me.† He refused to be distracted. His voice was husky, and he glanced up from under his lashes with troubled eyes. â€Å"I'm not surprised you heard something you didn't like. You know what they say about eavesdropners,† I reminded him. â€Å"I warned you I would be listening.† â€Å"And I warned you that you didn't want to know everything I was thinking.† â€Å"You did,† he agreed, but his voice was still rough. â€Å"You aren't precisely right, though. I do want to know what you're thinking – everything. I just wish†¦ that you wouldn't be thinking some things.† I scowled. â€Å"That's quite a distinction.† â€Å"But that's not really the point at the moment.† â€Å"Then what is?† We were inclined toward each other across the table now. He had his large white hands folded under his chin; I leaned forward, my right hand cupped around my neck. I had to remind myself that we were in a crowded lunchroom, with probably many curious eyes on us. It was too easy to get wrapped up in our own private, tense little bubble. â€Å"Do you truly believe that you care more for me than I do for you?† he murmured, leaning closer to me as he spoke, his dark golden eyes piercing. I tried to remember how to exhale. I had to look away before it came back to me. â€Å"You're doing it again,† I muttered. His eyes opened wide with surprise. â€Å"What?† â€Å"Dazzling me,† I admitted, trying to concentrate as I looked back at him. â€Å"Oh.† He frowned. â€Å"It's not your fault,† I sighed. â€Å"You can't help it.† â€Å"Are you going to answer the question?† I looked down. â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"Yes, you are going to answer, or yes, you really think that?† He was irritated again. â€Å"Yes, I really think that.† I kept my eyes down on the table, my eyes tracing the pattern of the faux wood grains printed on the laminate. The silence dragged on. I stubbornly refused to be the first to break it this time, fighting hard against the temptation to peek at his expression. Finally he spoke, voice velvet soft. â€Å"You're wrong.† I glanced up to see that his eyes were gentle. â€Å"You can't know that,† I disagreed in a whisper. I shook my head in doubt, though my heart throbbed at his words and I wanted so badly to believe them. â€Å"What makes you think so?† His liquid topaz eyes were penetrating – trying futilely, I assumed, to lift the truth straight from my mind. I stared back, struggling to think clearly in spite of his face, to find some way to explain. As I searched for the words, I could see him getting impatient; frustrated by my silence, he started to scowl. I lifted my hand from my neck, and held up one finger. â€Å"Let me think,† I insisted. His expression cleared, now that he was satisfied that I was planning to answer. I dropped my hand to the table, moving my left hand so that my palms were pressed together. I stared at my hands, twisting and untwisting my fingers, as I finally spoke. â€Å"Well, aside from the obvious, sometimes†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I hesitated. â€Å"I can't be sure – I don't know how to read minds – but sometimes it seems like you're trying to say goodbye when you're saying something else.† That was the best I could sum up the sensation of anguish that his words triggered in me at times. â€Å"Perceptive,† he whispered. And there was the anguish again, surfacing as he confirmed my fear. â€Å"That's exactly why you're wrong, though,† he began to explain, but then his eyes narrowed. â€Å"What do you mean, ‘the obvious'?† â€Å"Well, look at me,† I said, unnecessarily as he was already staring. â€Å"I'm absolutely ordinary – well, except for bad things like all the near-death experiences and being so clumsy that I'm almost disabled. And look at you.† I waved my hand toward him and all his bewildering perfection. His brow creased angrily for a moment, then smoothed as his eyes took on a knowing look. â€Å"You don't see yourself very clearly, you know. I'll admit you're dead-on about the bad things,† he chuckled blackly, â€Å"but you didn't hear what every human male in this school was thinking on your first day.† I blinked, astonished. â€Å"I don't believe it†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I mumbled to myself. â€Å"Trust me just this once – you are the opposite of ordinary.† My embarrassment was much stronger than my pleasure at the look that came into his eyes when he said this. I quickly reminded him of my original argument. â€Å"But I'm not saying goodbye,† I pointed out. â€Å"Don't you see? That's what proves me right. I care the most, because if I can do it† – he shook his head, seeming to struggle with the thought – â€Å"if leaving is the right thing to do, then I'll hurt myself to keep from hurting you, to keep you safe.† I glared. â€Å"And you don't think I would do the same?† â€Å"You'd never have to make the choice.† Abruptly, his unpredictable mood shifted again; a mischievous, devastating smile rearranged his features. â€Å"Of course, keeping you safe is beginning to feel like a full-time occupation that requires my constant presence.† â€Å"No one has tried to do away with me today,† I reminded him, grateful for the lighter subject. I didn't want him to talk about goodbyes anymore. If I had to, I supposed I could purposefully put myself in danger to keep him close†¦ I banished that thought before his quick eyes read it on my face. That idea would definitely get me in trouble. â€Å"Yet,† he added. â€Å"Yet,† I agreed; I would have argued, but now I wanted him to be expecting disasters. â€Å"I have another question for you.† His face was still casual. â€Å"Shoot.† â€Å"Do you really need to go to Seattle this Saturday, or was that just an excuse to get out of saying no to all your admirers?† I made a face at the memory. â€Å"You know, I haven't forgiven you for the Tyler thing yet,† I warned him. â€Å"It's your fault that he's deluded himself into thinking I'm going to prom with him.† â€Å"Oh, he would have found a chance to ask you without me – I just really wanted to watch your face,† he chuckled, I would have been angrier if his laughter wasn't so fascinating. â€Å"If I'd asked you, would you have turned me down?† he asked, still laughing to himself. â€Å"Probably not,† I admitted. â€Å"But I would have canceled later – faked an illness or a sprained ankle.† He was puzzled. â€Å"Why would you do that?† I shook my head sadly. â€Å"You've never seen me in Gym, I guess, but I would have thought you would understand.† â€Å"Are you referring to the fact that you can't walk across a flat, stable surface without finding something to trip over?† â€Å"Obviously.† â€Å"That wouldn't be a problem.† He was very confident. â€Å"It's all in the leading.† He could see that I was about to protest, and he cut me off. â€Å"But you never told me – are you resolved on going to Seattle, or do you mind if we do something different?† As long as the â€Å"we† part was in, I didn't care about anything else. â€Å"I'm open to alternatives,† I allowed. â€Å"But I do have a favor to ask.† He looked wary, as he always did when I asked an open-ended question. â€Å"What?† â€Å"Can I drive?† He frowned. â€Å"Why?† â€Å"Well, mostly because when I told Charlie I was going to Seattle, he specifically asked if I was going alone and, at the time, I was. If he asked again, I probably wouldn't lie, but I don't think he will ask again, and leaving my truck at home would just bring up the subject unnecessarily. And also, because your driving frightens me.† He rolled his eyes. â€Å"Of all the things about me that could frighten you, you worry about my driving.† He shook his head in disgust, but then his eyes were serious again. â€Å"Won't you want to tell your father that you're spending the day with me?† There was an undercurrent to his question that I didn't understand. â€Å"With Charlie, less is always more.† I was definite about that. â€Å"Where are we going, anyway?† â€Å"The weather will be nice, so I'll be staying out of the public eye†¦ and you can stay with me, if you'd like to.† Again, he was leaving the choice up to me. â€Å"And you'll show me what you meant, about the sun?† I asked, excited by the idea of unraveling another of the unknowns. â€Å"Yes.† He smiled, and then paused. â€Å"But if you don't want to be†¦ alone with me, I'd still rather you didn't go to Seattle by yourself. I shudder to think of the trouble you could find in a city that size.† I was miffed. â€Å"Phoenix is three times bigger than Seattle – just in population. In physical size -â€Å" â€Å"But apparently,† he interrupted me, â€Å"your number wasn't up in Phoenix. So I'd rather you stayed near me.† His eyes did that unfair smoldering thing again. I couldn't argue, with the eyes or the motivation, and it was a moot point anyway. â€Å"As it happens, I don't mind being alone with you.† â€Å"I know,† he sighed, brooding. â€Å"You should tell Charlie, though.† â€Å"Why in the world would I do that?† His eyes were suddenly fierce. â€Å"To give me some small incentive to bring you back.† I gulped. But, after a moment of thought, I was sure. â€Å"I think I'll take my chances.† He exhaled angrily, and looked away. â€Å"Let's talk about something else,† I suggested. â€Å"What do you want to talk about?† he asked. He was still annoyed. I glanced around us, making sure we were well out of anyone's hearing. As I cast my eyes around the room, I caught the eyes of his sister, Alice, staring at me. The others were looking at Edward. I looked away swiftly, back to him, and I. asked the first thing that came to mind. â€Å"Why did you go to that Goat Rocks place last weekend†¦ to hunt? Charlie said it wasn't a good place to hike, because of bears.† He stared at me as if I was missing something very obvious. â€Å"Bears?† I gasped, and he smirked. â€Å"You know, bears are not in season,† I added sternly, to hide my shock. â€Å"If you read carefully, the laws only cover hunting with weapons,† he informed me. He watched my face with enjoyment as that slowly sank in. â€Å"Bears?† I repeated with difficulty. â€Å"Grizzly is Emmett's favorite.† His voice was still offhand, but his eyes were scrutinizing my reaction. I tried to pull myself together. â€Å"Hmmm,† I said, taking another bite of pizza as an excuse to look down. I chewed slowly, and then took a long drink of Coke without looking up. â€Å"So,† I said after a moment, finally meeting his now-anxious gaze. â€Å"What's your favorite?† He raised an eyebrow and the corners of his mouth turned down in disapproval. â€Å"Mountain lion.† â€Å"Ah,† I said in a politely disinterested tone, looking for my soda again. â€Å"Of course,† he said, and his tone mirrored mine, â€Å"we have to be careful not to impact the environment with injudicious hunting. We try to focus on areas with an overpopulation of predators – ranging as far away as we need. There's always plenty of deer and elk here, and they'll do, but where's the fun in that?† He smiled teasingly. â€Å"Where indeed,† I murmured around another bite of pizza. â€Å"Early spring is Emmett's favorite bear season – they're just coming out of hibernation, so they're more irritable.† He smiled at some remembered joke. â€Å"Nothing more fun than an irritated grizzly bear,† I agreed, nodding. He snickered, shaking his head. â€Å"Tell me what you're really thinking, please.† â€Å"I'm trying to picture it – but I can't,† I admitted. â€Å"How do you hunt a bear without weapons?† â€Å"Oh, we have weapons.† He flashed his bright teeth in a brief, threatening smile. I fought back a shiver before it could expose me. â€Å"Just not the kind they consider when writing hunting laws. If you've ever seen a bear attack on television, you should be able to visualize Emmett hunting.† I couldn't stop the next shiver that flashed down my spine. I peeked across the cafeteria toward Emmett, grateful that he wasn't looking my way. The thick bands of muscle that wrapped his arms and torso were somehow even more menacing now. Edward followed my gaze and chuckled. I stared at him, unnerved. â€Å"Are you like a bear, too?† I asked in a low voice. â€Å"More like the lion, or so they tell me,† he said lightly. â€Å"Perhaps our preferences are indicative.† I tried to smile. â€Å"Perhaps,† I repeated. But my mind was filled with opposing images that I couldn't merge together. â€Å"Is that something I might get to see?† â€Å"Absolutely not!† His face turned even whiter than usual, and his eyes were suddenly furious. I leaned back, stunned and – though I'd never admit it to him – frightened by his reaction. He leaned back as well, folding his arms across his chest. â€Å"Too scary for me?† I asked when I could control my voice again. â€Å"If that were it, I would take you out tonight,† he said, his voice cutting. â€Å"You need a healthy dose of fear. Nothing could be more beneficial for you.† â€Å"Then why?† I pressed, trying to ignore his angry expression. He glared at me for a long minute. â€Å"Later,† he finally said. He was on his feet in one lithe movement. â€Å"We're going to be late.† I glanced around, startled to see that he was right and the cafeteria was nearly vacant. When I was with him, the time and the place were such a muddled blur that I completely lost track of both. I jumped up, grabbing my bag from the back of my chair. â€Å"Later, then,† I agreed. I wouldn't forget.

Poverty Is World’s Biggest Problem

Poverty is the most serious problem facing the world, according to a major worldwide poll out Sunday which put the issue well ahead of climate change, terrorism and war. Overall, 71 per cent of people named extreme poverty as the biggest global issue, compared to 64pc who cited the environment or pollution and 63pc the rising cost of food and energy. Terrorism, human rights and the spread of disease were singled out by 59pc, climate change and the state of the world economy by 58pc and war by 57pc. Even if the global recession has kept economic problems top of people’s minds this year, extreme poverty is clearly viewed as the world’s most serious global problem,† said Sam Mountford, research director for GlobeScan, which conducted the poll for the BBC World Service. â€Å"But with many other global problems seen as very serious, this represents a daunting agenda for institutions like the UN and G20 to address. † Results varied between nations. People in India and Pakistan rated terrorism as their top concern and it was also in the top three in Britain, Indonesia and Spain, which have suffered major attacks in recent years. Japan was the only country to view climate change as the most serious issue, while China ranked it second and the US ninth. More than 25,000 people in 23 countries were interviewed face-to-face, online or over the telephone for the poll, which was conducted between June and October last year.

House Overwhelmingly Approves K to 12 Bill on Third and Final Reading Essay

A bill that will ensure the continuity of K to 12 and its corresponding funding by the state has been approved overwhelmingly by the House of Representatives by a vote of 190 in favor and eight against. The Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2012, or House Bill 6643, was approved on third reading yesterday. It will then be reconciled with the Senate version for amendments and improvements until it becomes a law. Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said that DepEd is thankful for the support of the lawmakers in spearheading legislation that will open more opportunities to the Filipino youth by way of an education system that is relevant to the learners, the community, and industries. â€Å"We are getting closer to our goal of putting in place a basic education system that responds directly to what our learners need and to what the employment and entrepreneurship sectors require, even as it gives enough preparation for students who are geared for higher education,† added Luistro. K to 12 starts with Univeral Kindergarten which mandates all public elementary schools to offer kindergarten class and accept 5-year old learners beginning 2011. It is followed by six years of Elementary, four years of Junior High School, and two years of Senior High School where students will pursue their preferred career track depending on their skills and inclination. K to 12 does not preclude students from pursuing a college degree and gives them better preparation for the rigors of higher learning. Luistro has expressed his appreciation to the K to 12 proponents in the House of Representatives, especially Rep. Rosenda Ann Ocampo, Committee on Basic Education and Culture Presiding Officer, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, and the late Salvador Escudero III. The K to 12 bill in the Senate is being championed by Senator Edgardo Angara. A most recent survey conducted by the Social Weather Station revealed that majority of the respondents approved of K to 12 and are confident that it will bring the much-needed reform in the country’s educational system.