THE EDITOR, Sir:

I have seen the call for our musical heritage to be taught in schools, which is good.

I should hope that it is not intended to promote reggae over every other type of music. Adults and children alike are all exposed to reggae a lot, but I am sure if you were to mention classical or jazz and some other types of music to most children you would get a blank look or a "what name so?".

In days gone by, mento and calypso were a part of our musical heritage, but where are they today? That is a part of our heritage.

I know Dr Hope means well, but with a lot of ills in our society today, I believe we should be more concerned with teaching our children to respect themselves and others, especially the elderly and authorities (the police, etc) and to display good manners. The words 'please' and 'thank you' have almost disappeared from most people's vocabulary. Students should be taught what loyalty to country means and good moral values. They should be taught the names of our leaders in all areas of life in Jamaica today, especially those in central and local government, even if they and their parents do not like them. That is also a part of our heritage.

Sometimes I watch Schools' Challenge Quiz (both senior and junior) and the students will identify the pictures of all the DJs and not even one leader or politician. It seems that all that matters today is entertainment.

All who are old enough will remember a time when the songs we sang or played on the radio and the places we visited and the things we did, especially on a Sunday or Sabbath, were all done with God in mind.

I am happy to hear that civics will be again taught in schools and I hope that the curriculum will include a study of our leaders, past and present and, of course, all our national heroes.

Winsome Aris

winaris@yahoo.com