THE EDITOR, Sir:
IN BARBARA Ellington's otherwise excellent article on the Vision for Education presentation (Sunday, May 2), she attributed a statement to me that I wish to correct and clarify. My name is Dino De Filippi. As Barbara rightly stated, I have been coming to Jamaica for over 20 years (although she did not mention me by name). My heart is with this island like no other place on earth and I have chosen (for the second and final time) to make my home here. My current practice as a master success coach incorporates my years of experience in the teaching profession as well as successful careers as an actor (Cross & the Switchblade), a Broadway director and my training as a psychologist.
I did not say that the education system was as good as if not better than that of the United States. I certainly have a very high regard for Jamaican educators and no less for the immense potential of Jamaica's children, who never fail to astound me with their intelligence and their sense of the possible. But I have no rational basis for comparing the educational systems of the two countries as they are vastly different. What I did comment on was the work of the facilitators, Growth Facilitators Limited, with which I am familiar and which I have no hesitation in comparing favourably to similar practices in the United States.
Jamaica, I believe, has an incredibly bright future, one that I'm tremendously energised and excited to be part of. The vision for education document represents a powerful first step towards re-positioning Jamaica as a developed nation and a world-leading nation. I'm convinced the people have this potential, but equally convinced that significant changes are needed, changes that inherently require action, for us to get there. I wish for all involved continued success and God's blessings.
I am etc.,
DINO DE FILIPPI
Dino de Filippi Enterprises
