A positive initiative
Schools are the most fundamental building blocks of a society because they nurture young minds and teach them the basics of life (‘School inspections have raised standards’, Gulf News, May 13). However, it is equally important for schools to stay on a par with quality standards while providing facilities to students and justify how and where they are spending the fees. Recently, school inspections are being carried out in the UAE where private institutions are being closely monitored and their errors being rectified so they can perform better. Parents have to pay hefty fees so their child can receive the best education. However, books and an experienced faculty does not promise that the school is on a par with international standards. It is a positive step that the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has initiated such a program, which will bring all private schools at a level playing field and utilise the fees that they are taking in the best possible way.
From Mr. M. Omar Iftikhar
Karachi, Pakistan
Pushing for improvement
I agree with this article because the inspection always give’s an action call. It pushes schools for continual improvements. Unless it’s not measured, we cannot make improvements and it definitely has to be done by a third party. If it happened internally there will be a chance of compromise.
From Mr Abdul Salim
Dubai
Inspections need to change
I read this article, and I am a mother of a child attending kindergarten. In my opinion somehow I feel that the schools are pre-prepared for the inspection as they know the dates of inspection. So, while the standard of any school should be maintained throughout the year as advised by KHDA, sadly it happens only during that period of inspection.
Everybody is taught what to say - teachers, non-teaching staff and students. Schools strive to be picture perfect only that week, but before and after that week, school is at the mercy of management and teachers taking decisions, which are no ways in favour of the students and parents academically and financially.
If KHDA is really worried about school practices and standards, they should change this. Otherwise, it’s just a formality that is done every year with the motive to increase fees and have a good name.
From Ms Vijaylaxmi Suri
UAE
Keep up good work!
KHDA inspections have resulted in higher rankings and it has surely raised the standards of schools. With numerous inspections, schools are compelled to strive to hold top positions in the academic field. The reports yield valuable information pertaining to where their children will have the brightest future. The reports also show if the fee structure justifies the school’s facilities.
With schools guiding children to be better citizens, KHDA must continue their work and concentrate on improving the public sector as well.
From Ms Divine Gonsalves
UAE
Doctor should be sued!
This is the height of negligence and carelessness that a doctor could leave a cell phone inside a patient (‘Jordanian gynaecologist leaves cell phone in patient’s abdomen’, Gulf News, May 14)! The doctor should not only be fired from his job, but also sued for medical malpractice that could have resulted in severe infection and death of the patient. Hospitals have become mere money making businesses. This is an absolute shame!
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
Facebook comment
No room for negligence!
How can a doctor show such negligence while operating on a patient? This should not be forgiven, we trust doctors and go to them, but that doesn’t mean that the doctor can show even one per cent of negligence to us. This news has shocked me. Doctors are just doing business these days, they want to make money from insurance companies for the same reason they will write you a million laboratory tests and will come up with the result that you don’t have any disease. This I have personally observed. It’s really very sad, at least this profession in the world should be based on honesty and loyalty.
From Ms Almas
UAE
Website comment
To some, life is cheap
This is so careless of the doctor to manage such a thing! It’s all out of their arrogance, I think. People’s lives are that cheap to some. He should at least be deprived of practising medicine.
From Ms Reemara Abdul
Muscat, Oman
Facebook comment
No concern for others
Drivers are not following the rules even thought this is how we keep the safety of others (‘53% of residents say driving in UAE has become more dangerous’, Gulf News, May 14). Changing lane from the extreme right of the highway to the extreme left without signalling has become the order of the day for some. Even some drivers don’t hesitate to suddenly change lane from the hard shoulder with speed, without caring for others on the road. So, naturally, accidents are increasing day-by-day. These rule breakers have no fear of the law.
From Mr Raj Kumar Jalan
UAE
Facebook comment
Control your car!
One of the most important reasons for the roads feeling less safe is that a lot of people don’t understand the modern computerised cars and couldn’t handle them properly. Another reason is that driving powerful cars inside the city area can be dangerous. Less powerful cars are easy to control while driving inside the city or covering small distances.
From Ms Archana Sen
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
Getting home faster
Most people are driving dangerously because they are trying to reach their homes or their work faster. This is because most can’t afford the rents around where they are working.
From Ms Nilofer Taher
UAE
Facebook comment
Surveillance needed in the city!
Shame on these people who killed more than 40 innocent people in a bus (‘43 dead as motorcycle gunmen attack bus in Karachi’, Gulf News, May 13). It is not only the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to curb such crimes, but the general public must also feel their responsibilities. The public must immediately report the identities of these miscreants as soon as they know them. The Sindh government must enhance surveillance of the city, the madrassas and mosques.
From Mr Khurshid Qazi
UAE
Website comment
Brutal attack on minority
The militants in police uniforms on Wednesday gunned down 43 people, including 16 women by shooting them in the head as they attacked their bus in Karachi. It is reported that they first opened fire on the bus. As per the police, it was a targeted attack. A blood-stained pamphlet of the terrorist group, Daesh, was recovered from the scene. The government has not named any group for the attack yet. The spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, the Aga Khan expressed shock and sorrow over the attack. This is the worst attack targeting the members of the minority community after a suicide bomber in January blew himself up in a mosque.
Karachi is now becoming an infamous sprawling city of high crime rates as well as ethnic, political and sectarian violence. Bear with evil and expect good!
From Mr Sunny Joseph
Mala, India
Why differentiate violently?
The situation in my city of Karachi, Pakistan is tragic. Every morning, we wake up and we are terrified when about what we will read in the daily newspaper. Our fears come true when we read of another attack. There have been so many attacks directed against religious minorities over the past few years, and I always wonder why people have to differentiate to this extent in the communities? When will the violence end? When will we wake up to positive news instead of another tragedy? These questions haunt me on a daily basis and I pray for my city.
From Mr Zainab
UAE
Website comment
Can’t protect their own
It’s really heartbreaking news. We keep seeing the same gruesome pattern. The same government will make a committee to investigate the brutality and the terrorist group will take responsibility and the masses of Pakistan will accept all the procedures. Shame on Pakistan security agencies, which can’t seem to protect their own.
From Mr Karim Baig
Qatar
Facebook comment
Salman is a good man
Salman Khan is Salman Khan and he is a good and better man than most in the world (‘Salman Khan, now free, has a date with Dubai’, Gulf News, May 13). Everyone loves him, but some people don’t. The one’s who don’t; do not see the good things that he has done. The bad thing that he never did, people are emphasising on that like he has done it.
From Mr Shoukat Khan
UAE
Facebook comment
How is this possible?
I don’t have much knowledge on the legalities of this subject, but how is it possible that someone who is out on bail is allowed to leave the country and perform at a concert?
From Ms Tina
UAE
Website comment
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