The article ?Measuring happiness,? published in l?express on 4th January 2008, rightly sets the tone for a new start. Happiness is in fact one of the most significant locomotives in life. Understanding what makes people happy is as important as framing their perception of contentment because happiness is a state of mind. This interview of Alexandre, aged 13, a student of CSE, is aimed at flying over the timeless concept as seen through the eyes of a school teenager.

● <B> What does happiness mean to you?</B>

(Smiles) Holidays are the synonym of happiness for me: no homework, no exams, no tests, no need to rise early and lots of fun!

● <B> Are you unhappy now that you are resuming school?</B>

Humm? Not really. Education is a necessity and I am very much aware of that. Besides it?s always a pleasure to see your schoolmates and the teachers you like again. Additionally, encouraged by my last year?s performance, I am eagerly looking forward to taking up the new challenges that Form III has in store for me.

● <B> Therefore, school can be a happy place too?</B>

Of course it can! I prefer holidays, but this does not mean that I do not get pleasure out of school. I enjoy learning new things, practising sports during PE classes and socialising and playing with friends during recreation. Besides, whenever I perform well at school, I have a feeling of satisfaction that I can neither quantify nor qualify.

● <B>Does under performance constitute a source of unhappiness for students?</B>

If I under performed, I would definitely be unhappy at school and I believe this is a general feeling. That is why I feel very sorry for those who fail because of extrinsic factors e.g, an unhealthy environment or family relationships and poverty. However, those who choose to neglect their studies while they are enjoying the right conditions to take advantage of learning should bear the consequences and not pretend to be unhappy with the fruits they have cultivated by choice.

● <B>What would you do to improve performance at school?</B>

If I could, I would introduce a system through which those who have difficulty following classes would have the possibility of reviewing their weaknesses in remedial classes in after-school sessions given by teachers on a regular basis.

● <B>But this would mean longer working hours for teachers?</B>

I am only expressing an opinion from a student?s point of view. The modus operandi, feasibility and alternative measures are beyond my understanding.

● <B>What can be done to make students feel happier?</B>

While I am satisfied with the infrastructure and school environment, I feel sorry for those students who attend schools that are deprived of adequate green spaces, sports facilities and salubrious hygienic conditions. Education is also a healthy mind in a healthy body and the environment has to be conducive to it.

Besides, more extracurricular activities such as outings, inter-class debates and competitions would have added more punch to schools, which otherwise might end up being perceived as monotonous academic data bank feeders.

Additionally, I also believe children from all realms of society should have the chance to get the best out of themselves at school. Even if they do not have the means to take private tuition.

● <B> Do you think discipline is a hindrance to happiness?</B>

Discipline sometimes may be a short-term setback to happiness but it definitely suits long-term purposes of making good and happy citizens out of us. I believe discipline would be more acceptable if its purpose was more clearly explained to us kids.