School requirements – a burden
It is shocking to know that the price of a single set of uniform is Dh765 (‘More than 40 parents gather at school over new uniform prices,’ Gulf News, May 28)! Of late, most schools have increased the costs of uniforms and books, as the tuition fees increase is restricted by authorities. It is a blackmail to force parents to buy uniform from a particular shop that has the embroidered school logo. Apart from this costly regular uniform, most schools have a set of sport uniforms, which is worn with white shoes once every week. I don’t understand what purpose does it serve? The sport uniform also costs as much as the regular uniform. The senior school students in many schools are instructed to wear a formal suit every day. Is wearing a blazer and a tie advisable in this country where the temperature remains hot most of the year. Additionally, the uniforms come with a dry-clean label, which means a minimum expense of Dh25 every week. However, parents are helpless and hope that the relevant authorities take the required actions to ease their burden.
From Ms Yousufa
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
No activities in schools
Apart from Dh765 for uniforms, school fees were increased sometime back. The bus fee was also increased. I pay Dh6,000 for transportation for each child. I don’t understand why does it cost so much because if I hire a taxi for the same it would cost about Dh10,000. Schools are trying to extract money from parents in any way possible and yet are not up to the mark. In this part of the world there are hardly any physical or extracurricular activities for children after they cross Grade 5.
From A Reader
Dubai
Website comment
Useless and unaffordable
In general, schools are becoming more and more commercial now. Instead of treating themselves as educational bodies, they like to be seen as successful businesses. Every year there is an increase in the total amount paid to a school by increasing some or the other costs be it tuition fee, transport fee, books or uniform. I do not understand how a Dh765 uniform will make a child study better? Schools are meant to promote learning, discipline, unity and not fashion. Schools should know that many families struggle because of their ever increasing costs. Many families live in Sharjah or Ajman and save up on rent so they can afford to send their children to the best schools. As mentioned, I hope that the school acts appropriately and brings out a solution for all.
From Mr Syed Fahd Basir
Sharjah
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Penalise irresponsible driving
Speeding is only a part of the problem but not the main problem (‘Dubai Police propose cutting speed limits on the road to curb accidents,’ Gulf News, May 29). The main problem is that other traffic violations are not being penalised. Tailgating, swerving, overtaking using the hard shoulder, driving slow in the fast lanes are offences that must be fined by the authorities. I can’t imagine how some people can’t drive straight in their own lane. How can a driver not get this basic rule right? Instead of reducing the speed limit, I wish the authorities start fining irresponsible drivers. One person almost crashed into my car the other day because I was in his blind spot.
From Ms Pam A.
Abu Dhabi
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Driving etiquette
Gulf News headline is a little misleading. My understanding from the article is that the speed limit remains the same and only the grace limit (before fines are imposed) will be reduced. For example if the road has a limit of 100km/h, currently you have a grace limit of plus 20km/h so the radar only flashed after 120km/h. But this grace limit will be reduced to 10km/h, so the radar will flash after 110km/h. Increasing the minimum speed limit from 60km/h to 90km/h, will increase the average legal speed limit. I personally feel that the proposed lower limit is too high. Accidents can be best reduced by improving driving etiquette.
From Mr Khalid
Dubai
Website comment
Increase police patrol
This will be the biggest mistake. The two major issues with driving are that people drive slower than the minimum speed limit and people flash headlights and force the car ahead to quickly change lane. These are the main issues that cause accidents. Authorities should increase patrols on Shaikh Zayed Road and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road to catch motorists redhanded while tailgating, speeding, flashing, using mobiles phones and overtaking in an irresponsible manner. Motorists who refuse to give way to the car behind them even when they can, should also be punished. If the authorities do this vigorously, they will see the number of accidents going down. Nothing will happen by reducing speed limits as people know where the cameras are and also know to keep an eye on surprise cameras.
From Mr Jagdish
Dubai
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Don’t risk innocent lives
Thanks you for this proposal. Other issues to keep under watch is people driving without headlights at night and people parking their cars carelessly and blocking side lanes. But, I agree that the most serious issue on the roads is speeding. If you want to speed, go to a race track because you cannot speed on public roads and risk innocent lives.
From Mr Aneesh
Sharjah
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Won’t make a difference
The speed limit of 120km/h is not that high if you compare it to the neighbouring countries. Yet we have a higher accident rate than the neighbouring countries. I don’t think reducing the speed limit to 110km/h from 120km/h will make any difference in controlling the accident rate. I strongly believe that it is about awareness, not increasing or decreasing speed limits.
From Mr Jamal
Sharjah
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