School fees can be truly extortionate in the UAE

Readers discuss the cost of education, fuel prices in India, the Abu Dhabi property market and race-based hiring

Protesters block a railway track in reaction to record petrol and diesel prices in Mumbai, India. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas

Please refer to your article UAE schools face tougher competition for pupils (September 12). It would appear that schools are finding it hard to fill their places because there is so much competition. Perhaps some of the more expensive schools should consider more sensible fees. I am sure that extortionate school fees are causing parents to look elsewhere for their children's education.

Name withheld by request

Fuel prices in India take their toll on the common man

I write in reference to your article Indian opposition leads­ ­nationwide protests over high fuel prices (September 11). The recent strike this week spurred by increased fuel prices in India and followed by vandalism by the protesters is a troubling development for the country. Unfortunately, fuel prices are usually not the same across the nation and vary from state to state. Despite the fluctuation of the international oil price, the prices for Indian consumers are fixed. That in ­itself is not a bad thing, but there is no uniformity nationwide and as a result the common man suffers. Those in power appear unable to remedy this. Protests should be peaceful and there is never any excuse for looting and damaging public property, but their grievances are somewhat justified.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

We need a good property calculator for the capital

I write in reference to your online article New online ­calculator helps Dubai ­residents decide to rent or buy (September 12). This is a great tool. But I just sold last week in Abu Dhabi, and the calculator is only for Dubai residents. It would be great to see a similar innovation for Abu Dhabi residents as well, because the buying fee structure is quite different.

Anthony Edwards, Abu Dhabi

Race-based hiring practices are a tough issue to solve

Please refer to your article Job adverts must not specify ­gender or race, says UAE ministry (September 11). This issue is everywhere – I have seen race-based hiring practices in Japan too. It is a very hard thing to solve.

Muhannad Alblooshi, RAK

The news that there will be a crackdown on those who specify a particular gender or race when hiring in the UAE is certainly positive. However, when it comes to selection ­processes or even interviews, there will always be discrimination.

Laxman Shrestha, Nepal