Please publish this letter so that readers may actually hear the opinion of a teenager on the matter of the banning of daggerin' and other sexually-explicit songs from the airwaves.

Why not substitute the words of these 'explicit' songs with school notes? Has the Government or people on a whole stopped to realise how quickly children learn these songs. Haven't they ever wondered 'What if we used this as a means of educating in schools?' This is what they should be paying attention to. Banning these songs from the airwaves does little to prevent children from singing them; what it does is cause conflicts between the music industry and the Government.

As a student of a rural high school, a server in my church and a well-respected individual in my community, I must admit, I too enjoy hearing some of these songs, but when I get 'fed up' with school and tests are on the way, I just replace the words of the songs with my Food and Nutrition or History notes. Learning for me is a lot easier this way. Trust me, if the Government had implemented this in schools, grades would improve and better education would result. I know it works for me and if I may speak on behalf of my peers, it can work for others too.

I also heard a discussion on IRIE-FM about a complaint from a participant about children not knowing the national anthem, but knowing these rude songs. But I would ask: Are the radio stations playing the national anthem enough for the children to learn it? Get real. It's modern times now. You can't blame the failure of children on the music industry alone, but on yourselves as parents, as role models, as the government.

You must work to instil discipline and etiquette in your children's everyday lives.

Dancehall may have its negatives, but it may also produce positive impact on the younger generation with the right approach and help of parents, teachers and the Government.

I am, etc.,

KAEONNA WALTERS

minnieme_gp@yahoo.com