The Editor, Sir:

The editorial 'Lessons from Beijing' has the seed of the lessons to be learned to make Jamaica a great nation.

Yes "Bolt electrified the Beijing Games", but it took him several years of disciplined work to do that. Therein lies the key word that must be applied to all areas of life in Jamaica - discipline from without and discipline from within.

Notice that all the volunteers at the Games were well-dressed and polite. We must have standards of dress and we must practise politeness.

Notice that the Chinese are learning English because it is the global language. We Jamaicans must do the same, but it takes 20 years of learning grammar to perfect the art of good speech and writing. Investing successfully also takes time.

Bolt might now be a millionaire, but it took him many years to get there. We must teach our people the art of long-term investment. Investing to become overnight millionaires is dangerous.

Structure, consistency

The editorial went on to say "there is a structured athletics programme and the process is perennial". Therein lies the secret: structure and consistency. Jamaica needs structure and consistency.

We have had great structured schools in Jamaica. We must support our principals and teachers because they are facing forces which tend to destroy structure.

Government must bring the disciplined structure of Singapore to the general public of Jamaica.

I am, etc.,

DR JOSEPH WINT

joseph.wint@att.net