When will it stop? Yet again other threats to our youth are surfacing, adding to what can be deemed to be an already volatile culture where danger seems to lurk around the corner.

In this new school year the attacks against students walking to get transportation in the Half-Way Tree area have increased. Students are being held up walking along Hope Road and in Mandela Park in Half-Way Tree. As a result, there is increased fear among students and parents because of this spate of incidents. Parents are therefore being forced to spend more money paying bus fares or getting other means of transportation directly from school to home, because they fear for their children's lives or well-being when they are walking on the streets. This is putting additional strain on parents who are already burdened with the increases in the cost of living and especially the cost of textbooks.

The effect of this added fear is the sense of threat that hangs over our students and parents. This increased fear and tension will result in psychological problems and physical ailments. Already, there is a sense that as a people we are on edge with fear and worry.

As if this were not bad enough there is yet another threat which has surfaced in the entertainment sector. This is the now bitter feud between the Gaza/Gully factions. Gaza refers to the Portmore area where Vybz Kartel resides, while Gully refers to the area of Kingston where Mavado lives. Gaza is linked also to the Portmore Empire of which Vybz Kartel is president, while Gully is linked to Alliance of which Mavado is president. Now, Jamaicans have become accustomed to these feuds and clashes between rival dancehall artistes. This feud, however, is getting totally out of hand.

Embracing violent feud

Stories are circulating of persons being abused physically because they reside in an area of one or the other of the groups and then dare to play the music of the rival artiste. Other stories concern drivers going through a community playing the songs of the rival artiste in their vehicles and being stopped and physically abused. Then there are the selectors who suffer physical retaliation from the hands of opposing sides because they do not play the music of the chosen artiste. These are but a few examples of what is taking place in our society as a result of musical choices made by supposedly free citizens of our country.

This conflict has descended to a lower level than those clashes of the past, such as those between Bounty Killer and Beenie Man. The students in schools are embracing this violent feud. Many unthinkingly identify with one side or the other and take on the spirit of the feud. Now, we recall how assiduously the security forces have been trying to stem the violence at the transportation centres where these students gather. The society does not need another source of divide to add to what is already a very tribalistic culture. I agree with Bounty Killer that these artistes need to speak out at a public forum against this destructive mindset that has evolved from what is supposed to be a lyrical clash. The media need to give as much coverage to this event as it does to the violence which results from the clash of Gaza and Gully.

In The Gleaner editorial of Wednesday, September 23, the following comments, which summarises the current state of this conflict, were made:

"There is something different, however, about the Gaza-Gully-Kartel-Mavado phenomenon. It has embraced a violent intolerance. Increasingly, knives, guns and other forms of physical violence are being brought into play. So far, no one has been reported killed in any of these episodes of violence but the possibility is grave."

Usain Bolt endorsement

Given the increasing gravity of this situation, I was concerned to see our esteemed world record breaker Usain Bolt endorsing one of these sides on national television. Even if Usain meant no harm, his gesture and endorsement will simply add to the already heightened conflict between the Gaza/Gully groups. Usain's management team needs to help him understand the level of influence that he exerts in this nation.

He needs to come quickly to appreciate that what he says and does has indelible impact on the minds of many of our young people who uncritically follow his every move from 'To the worl' to 'Gaza'. He must be careful to realise that his is a 'world' status and cannot be tribalised to just a 'Gaza' status. His is one of the voices that could serve to quell the senseless abuse being associated with this Gully-Gaza feud. In this very divided nation, we need voices to encourage peace not conflict.

On a more positive note, I want to commend Dr Mary Campbell, assistant chief education officer in charge of the core curriculum in the Ministry of Education, for hosting the first Ministry of Education's expo for the principals of the primary and secondary levels. This two-day expo was a huge success. Principals were addressed by various officers of the Ministry of Education and then treated to materials for their schools, ranging from mathematics to the performing arts.

This expo is a step in the right direction, as for the first time there is a sense that the ministry is integrally involved in ensuring that needed materials necessary for the efficient delivery of the curriculum is directly placed in the hands of the schools' principals. Most of these materials, including books and charts, were free of cost to the schools.

This move, along with the book-rental system, will help to level the playing field among the different schools. I encourage the officers of the ministry to think outside the box in addressing the crucial education needs of our students, given the increasing limited resources with which we are working.

Esther Tyson is principal of Ardenne High School, St Andrew. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com.