Noble teacher won't beat a pupil
Being in the educational sector for the past 25 years, I find it most alarming that majority of people are worried about the psychological impact on pupils ("Pupil claims teacher hit him with ruler", Gulf News, February 8).

However, none are concerned about the possible effects such reports will have on a student-teacher relationship. How many of us were psychologically harmed by our teachers in the past?

No teacher who has a true calling would beat a pupil, and it is a few isolated cases that have been noticed.

A pupil can disrespect teachers as he or she knows that the bylaws would eventually be for them.

Teaching is the only noble profession where someone else benefits instead of the professional.
From Ms Felcita Amalraj
UAE

Inform parents
I felt bad while reading the report on the pupil who was hit with a metal scale by his teacher. The teacher should not have done that.

Instead, she could have addressed the problem by speaking to the child's parents and informing them of his behaviour in the classroom, emphasising facts such as lack of attention and non-serious attitude.
From Ms Sara Haroon Orakzai
Dubai

Striking a balance
Ideally, tutors should not be empowered for inflicting pain on their pupils. Likewise, pupils with questionable behaviour cannot be encouraged to continue.

Both may have negative effects on the economy, if they remain unchecked. The fact remains that tutors need constant training.

This would help provide them with tools to study and handle pupils and thereby avoid undue meting of punishment.

Tutors should learn to balance behaviour, to spare the rod and yet guarantee a good pupil.

Words of encouragement and a follow-up routine on a problematic child could yield desirable results.
From Mr Sheriff Fatoye
Fujairah

Education is valuable
It is hard to believe that in these developed times, children with special needs are being treated as second-class citizens ("Parents 'devastated' by school decision", Gulf News, February 7).

The school says they are closing due to lack of space. However, instead of closure, alternative options should be found.

Isn't this penalising children and depriving them of something as valuable as education? This could hamper their growth.

I would request all involved to help secure the future of such children.
From Ms Loretta Remedios
UAE

Undeniable rights
The article on the closure of special needs section made for poor reading.

There is absolutely no humanitarian element, and is in fact a disguised attempt at commercialising education at the expense of 34 children with special needs.

The concerned authorities should intervene, investigate and put an end to such atrocities.

No one can deny such children with their basic rights to seek education.
From Ms Savita B.
Dubai

Integrate children
As a parent of a child with borderline learning difficulty, I've realised that children similar to mine will neither get admission in mainstream schools nor in any of the 30 enlisted special education centres.

I say this with such certainty, as I have been experiencing the said difficulty for the past eight years.

What these children need are schools that are attached to a mainstream school, where they can learn at their own pace and at the same time develop individual social skills.

This would be possible by integrating such children with mainstream school children. It would be helpful if the concerned authorities could publish a list of schools with such facilities.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request


Apt and timely
The extensively covered report on credit cards was apt and timely ("The plastic debt trap", Gulf News, February 8).

Earlier, the so-called credit cards were a dream for a lot of people.

Ever since its process has been made easy and is offered with attractive promotions and discounts, credit cards have become easy access for the middleclass.

The widespread use has increased people's spending capacity.

However, potential customers are usually not informed about hidden costs and the method of calculating interests.

If people are fully aware of all applicable charges and process of payments, credit cards will not be a burden. In fact they can be very convenient and beneficial.
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Ruwi, Oman
Gulf News Reader's Club member

Know the rules
I always make sure that all my travel documents are in order before I fly ("Midnight airport scare for newborn with no visa", Gulf News, February 9).

People should know the immigration rules of the country they live in.

That each individual has to have a separate entry permit in order to enter the UAE, irrespective of their age or passport status is a given.

There are many ways to obtain such information. For instance, the sponsor - the father of the child - can check with the immigration officials about rules.

Due to security reasons, no one in the immigration can help somebody by going out of the way.
From Mr Jay Krishnan
Sharjah

Gridlock
Traffic in Karama has become even more of a torture than usual.

A few days ago, there was such a bad gridlock during lunch hour that we had to leave our car almost two kilometres away and walk back home.

Karama is popular with tourists and residents, but it will soon cease to function if the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) does not manage the traffic better.

I suggest a one-way system around the souqs, the introduction of new traffic lights and parking areas, along with greater police presence to solve this problem.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request

Wrong side
I have been reading Gulf News with great interest ever since I became a resident of the UAE.

I think the paper is doing a great job of making people aware of the various traffic hazards and how to deal with them, but one issue that has not been addressed so far is the growing number of cyclists.

They use the roads as they like, completely ignoring the traffic lights, and causing great danger to motorists and pedestrians by driving on the wrong side.

There seems to be no stopping them.
From Ms Anita Nanda
Dubai

Irresponsible
During the early morning hours, there are always 13 to 15 buses on Naif Road, in Deira.

These block at least one entire lane when picking up commuters, without any consideration for motorists behind them.

The bus drivers should be sensible and park in the by-lanes of dedicated bus stops.

I hope the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) takes action and asks bus drivers to behave more responsibly, especially in busy areas such as Deira.
From Mr Hariona Pary
Dubai