Skewed priorities in schools
Schools are just another business institution – no surprises here (‘Pricey schools in Dubai indifferent to new parents, shows survey’, Gulf News, April 19). It’s not just the highly priced schools, but the fact that many schools are more focused on their Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) ratings. From my experience, children are trained what to say when the KHDA inspectors are around. Yes, children are taught to lie. Teachers change every three months and they are just given homework so that parents can teach them at home.
From Ms Michelle Reni
UAE
Facebook comment
Money making
Nowadays schools in Dubai are making students buy almost everything from the school. Uniforms, shoes, books, pencils and much more. But now the level for ridiculousness has reached a new level. At one prominent Indian school, they have even started selling schoolbags, which are compulsory and sold to children at absurd prices.
Already the education fee is huge and it has become a very lucrative business here, but I can’t comprehend when this greed will end. I understand that running a school successfully involves high costs, but the schools here are just keen on making money from just about anything.
From Mr Nirav Asher
Dubai
Dangerous usage!
How dangerous it is use gas cylinders indoors (‘2 maids die, 2 hurt in Ajman gas cylinder blast’, Gulf News, April 20)! People are also using them on high floors in tall buildings. In my home country it is prohibited to keep it indoors and higher then the third floor. Rest in peace to the two women who died.
From Ms Iana Poleacova
UAE
Facebook comment
Sympathy for new commuters
I think ‘The lost rider’ type of Dubai Metro commuter is so cute and it’s not their fault (‘12 types of people you find on the Dubai Metro’, Gulf News, April 20). I remember my first time in a new country and how terrifying it was. Even though I’ve lived here for ages, I am still unsure of where the UAE Exchange Metro Station is due to the name change.
From Ms Shipra Roma
Dubai
Facebook comment
Take a hint
Although the tip for ‘The fragrant rider’ is to not plug your nose, I am never afraid of covering my nose when I smell something really bad on the Dubai Metro. I don’t care if it’s insulting, unethical or rude. I love when someone who stinks sees me covering my nose - maybe they will get the hint.
From Mr Lanz Kyzer
Dubai
Facebook comment
A physical reaction
I agree that the fragrant riders are really annoying. I really have to cover my nose. When I inhale it goes to my brain and makes me dizzy and get a headache. I end up using my asthma inhaler.
From Ms Marielle Llove
UAE
Facebook comment
Stop the cards!
Thank you for covering the unwanted visiting cards stuck on cars (‘Massage card barrage frustrates residents’, Gulf News, April 10). I have sent scanned images of these to the authorities and requested them to penalise the people with these mobile numbers. I have also pitied the municipality cleaners who in fact have asked these people to stop. They end up having to clean up all these cards that vehicle owners spitefully throw on the ground.
But it’s still happening, which means that more needs to be done to stop these people.
From Ms Roopa Jacob
Dubai
Keep it clean!
On Friday morning I woke up late and went to the balcony to refresh myself with the sun’s warmth after a long sleep. It looked fresh outside, I saw a few children playing, there were some people exercising, and I was sipping my cup of green tea.
That’s when I saw a man spitting outside on the ground. What a good start to a Friday morning. This is not the first time. Wherever we go there is that one person who has to spit out through their car window. I’ve noticed this disgusting habit among many people out here and it is a shame that we the onlookers can do nothing about it. Living in a very clean city like Dubai, this is definitely not the kind of habit we must inculcate. A city that receives millions of tourists every year has those few people who defame its beauty.
Though there are signs put up in many places and people are aware of the fines they would have to pay, they still continue spluttering on the roads. Is it that the fines are too little or that they don’t fear the laws? Do you do the same things inside your home, sitting on the couch?
It’s not just me, but many people out there who want to stay disease-free and, most importantly, don’t wish to see a disgusting sight while they are enjoying their day. Please, at least go fetch your spit pots.
From Ms Parvathi Sreeraj
UAE
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