It is serious but the educating of children starts long before a child gets to school. Education is the parents' responsibility as well as the school. Children learn by example; what kind of an example do some adults set?
Litter is an anti-social problem. Children are not the main culprits. People are fully aware they should not throw or drop litter but are too idle or selfish to consider the consequences of their actions on other people and the environment.
It is time adults behaved like adults and set the example children can copy.
Education on litter disposal should be taking place at venues adults attend, football matches, cinemas, music festivals and on TV, to name a few places.
Mention was made of other countries in Europe being cleaner than here. Is it civic pride or harsher penalties that bring this about?
I don't know but I am aware that in Singapore fast food outlets are fined for any of their litter being on the streets; also chewing gum is not on sale.
Perhaps our Government should go down this path or should it tax chewing gum heavily to pay for cleaning the pavements?
June Coldwell