I would like to respond to V. Carnegie's letter (October 23) re: the killing of a student at Ferncourt high school. The banning of the school or schools from competitions as suggested is not the way to go. It is not right to punish an entire school population because of the behaviour of one student.

decent students still exist

There are decent law-abiding students who should be rewarded for their exemplary behaviour. It's the wrongdoers who should be punished. If we were to accept Carnegie's principle, then when a senior police officer was arrested for accepting marked bills in Spanish Town some months ago, the entire constabulary force or the area he represented should be shut down. What a chaotic situation that would be!

So Mr/Miss Carnegie, since your children do not attend any of these schools, in your mind, it seems OK to shut them out for a year. What a good thing your are not one of the lawmakers in Jamaica.

I am, etc.,

W. JEFF KNIGHT

bluemtentpr642@yahoo.com

Florida, USA