The Editor, Sir:

In response to the article 'NSWMA launches 'Clean School' competition" published November 23, 2007, I am pleased that such a campaign has been embarked on. Indeed it is best to try and inculcate good habits at an early age, as bad habits formed from early in life and continually practised are difficult to erase. The competition, apart from addressing the aesthetics, will engender creativity and be educational overall.

chief culprits

I noticed that the 2007-2008 competition will involve only the preparatory and primary schools. However, I would like to see it extended immediately to incorporate the high schools, as some of our high school students are the chief culprits in the littering of our roads.

Students from preparatory schools are rarely responsible for this act, and the reasons can be easily worked out. I know of students from high schools near to my community who constantly litter the community with wrappings and plastic bottles discarded after partaking of their edible purchases from the vendors on the Old Hope Road and the Mona Road.

There is a stark contrast in the condition of the roads between the times the schools are on vacation and the times they are open.

vendors

The vendors must also be targeted for training in and contribution to waste management, as they could be instrumental in helping to spread the right message to their clients. They should be licensed and should contribute to the provision of waste bins along the routes their clients take.

The NSWMA agency under new management is off to a good start and should be given all the support of Jamaica, as it engages in the business of keeping our country clean. After all, cleanliness is important to our health (physical, social and economic).

I am, etc.,

YVONNE GUNNING

gunningyc@yahoo.co.uk

Mona

Kingston 6

Via Go-Jamaica