Students cannot be to blame for all these problems, surely?
THE message to Derby students from Mackworth estate is clear:
It's great that you have chosen to come to our city to pursue your education – but please clean up behind you!
The Take Pride In Your Street scheme switched its attention to three streets on the estate yesterday.
That was at the request of some of the residents who felt that littering had reached unacceptable levels – and the finger of blame is being pointed at students.
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The accusation being levelled at them is that, as temporary residents, they do not show the same level of commitment to keeping the area tidy that is displayed by householders who have lived there for many years.
Of course, this may be an allegation to which the majority of students take considerable exception.
It certainly does seem that they are all being tarred with the same brush.
And while students may have a reputation – unfair or otherwise – for not being particularly house-proud, the suggestion that all the blame for street mess in this area should be laid at their door does seem harsh.
They are even being portrayed as unable to comprehend which bins should be used for which kind of rubbish – which takes a bit of believing for higher-education students.
And even if they are partially culpable for street litter, they can hardly be held responsible for problems with blocked drains and gullies and potholes, which were also targeted in the cleaning blitz.
Let us hope that they respond in the right way to this unwanted attention.
If the criticism is unfair, let's hear from them to put the record straight.
And if it is justified, let's see them pay a bit more attention to being good neighbours for their duration as Derbeians.
Comments
by Derby400
Tuesday, December 11 2012, 9:35PM
“rtwer”
by chunky84
Tuesday, December 11 2012, 5:15PM
“lol, Derby Telegraph can't even provide a photo to prove it is the students littering!”
by dianae
Tuesday, December 11 2012, 5:13PM
“A lady I know has had a new set of students next to her each year for many years - each year, she goes round and says hello - and explains some local knowledge.
The students come from different places Some have recycling bins at parents' home and some don't. for some the bins here are different colours to the ones they are used to and the rules on paper not going with cardboard and cardboard not going in with kitchen waste etc are different.
Every year the students say that the landlord has not left them any information about the bins - not even which days, nor the time they should go out nor the 2 weekly rota.
And every year, she says the students are polite to her and manage the bins just about as well as other neighbours.”
by coralsea
Tuesday, December 11 2012, 3:16PM
“The more we clean up after these students the more rubbish they will drop, maybe they seem to think as they have left home everyone else will be there parents and slaves, lazy gits”