The Editor, Sir:

Many law-abiding citizens are concerned with the crime and violence that is plaguing us. As individuals, we need to ask ourselves: Have I in any way contributed to this 'cancerous' problem that is destroying us slowly and is fast becoming chronic? We all in some way have contributed to the problem. My proposed strategies to deal with it are as follows:

1. Revisit the matter of values and attitudes. With the help of the media, encourage parents to help instil in their children a sense of self-worth, values and self-respect; bearing in mind that many of the mothers and fathers today are also children and need to be taught, too.

2. Make parents' atattendance at Parent-Teacher Association meetings mandatory, hence encouraging ongoing contact of parents with teachers. The parents should be required to attend at least one meeting per school year, failing which the child should be withheld from school for a period or the parents asked to place the child elsewhere.

I am aware that procedures like these do not find favour with the Ministry of Education. The reality is, if discipline is to be maintained and our schools are to be a safe haven, radical and drastic actions like these need to be taken.

National Anthem

3. Extra-curricular activity, such as Girl Guides, scouting, Cadet Corps, drum corps, or sports needs to be encouraged in our schools. This could create an opportunity for children with deviant behaviour to channel their energies elsewhere by meaningful and productive means. Both the National Pledge and National Anthem should be recited and sung at all mass gatherings.

5. Conduct workshops and seminars on civic matters and have discussions, explaining the contents of both the National Pledge and National Anthem.

6. Reintroduce the subject of civics in schools from the level of early childhood education up to the secondary level.

7. Have the words of both the National Pledge and National Anthem hoisted on billboards at strategic locations across the island. For example, the National Stadium, Emancipation Park, etc.

Instilling self-worth

While I may not have any scientific proof, the reality is many of the noted criminals of today started their devious practice during the formative years while in school. It is perfected as soon as they leave.

While you cannot legislate everything, for certain standards and principles to be maintained, and to instil in the minds of our young, a sense of self worth and values, legislation plays a role. What is needed is a Government with the will and determination to do all that is necessary to solve the crime problem.

This might be at the expense of losing some popularity. We need to do all that is necessary to subjugate the crime problem.

I am, etc.,

DALBERT A. LAING

dal_laing@hotmail.com

36 Caribbean Terrace

Kinston 17