Education needs an overhaul

Readers call for an overhaul in the education system, Other topics: Dubai Canal, obesity, business ethics

Readers call for a change in the country’s education system. Reem Mohammed / The National

Schools and universities are all about theory and much of what you learn there is never used (More focus needed on talent rather than grades, education researchers say, December 11).

Now we have apps for most things but schools do not allow children to use them freely. It’s like when the calculator came on the market. Most schools insisted on not using it.

Baitani Latif, Sharjah

My son is excellent in maths and design but he can barely pass because of a grades obsessed system.

Ahmed Buhamad, Dubai

The education system needs an overhaul. Children work only for grades. They learn very little.

Jaya Ravi Bhat, Abu Dhabi

A channel of serenity in the heart of Dubai

Last weekend, I went to take a look at the Dubai Canal and was convinced that it's an amazing project (Cruising the new Dubai Canal offers a new perspective of the emirate, December 11).

Looking at it, I felt myself lucky to be able to live in a country that strives to keep its people happy by opening up so many avenues of entertainment.

This canal is going to be a lifeline for the people of Dubai, who can take a break from the din and bustle of the city.

There are, of course, parks and other serene places in the city, but nothing is comparable to this new development.

What more, it has got tremendous tourism potential.

I wish for Dubai to attract a lot of tourism revenue from this project. I wish all the best to the city that has given me so much.

Vallonia Santos, Dubai

Stop those who dupe clients

I refer to the article UAE regulator clamps down on savings, investment and insurance policy sales practices after 'alarming amount of complaints' (December 11). I literally lost half of my investment to commissions.

I was fooled by the agent who told me that I lost heavily in the shares they bought on my behalf. To make things worse, the agent put the blame on me saying that I didn’t ask to change the types of investment, but I found out that most of my losses were due to commission payment.

Fady Abi Khalil, Abu Dhabi

Hopefully some of these wannabe financial advisers will go back to selling used cars in the UK.

Andy Partridge, Dubai

The senior-level people in these companies need to be stopped. They advocate the sale of poor financial products to clients.

John Paul, Dubai

Labelling alone will not help

In reference to your editorial, Labels could tackle obesity (December 9), what about all the junk food literally being put into children's mouths daily as breakfast, lunch and dinner? Is this going to be addressed as well? This is a significant factor that contributes towards obesity.

Tanya Milbourne, Abu Dhabi

We need reasonably priced (not just for the super rich) indoor recreational facilities. Maybe even free ones.

Sara Smith, Abu Dhabi

Mentioning calories on all menus would be helpful.

Chris Reid, Dubai

Banning all sugary items in vending machines in hospitals and clinics would be a good start. If the health profession backs it up, followed by gyms, other fitness centres and schools, then maybe the message will get home. However, in my opinion, the worst culprits are some parents who advocate this sugar fix to placate their unruly children.

Little do they know that sugar is what actually sparks this disruptive behaviour.

Name withheld by request

I had an appointment at a hospital in the cardiology unit (Why a sugar tax can beat obesity, December 10). In the waiting area there was a TV showing a public information film on heart-related problems caused by bad eating habits and lack of exercise. Less than a metre from the screen was a vending machine full of chocolates, potato crisps and fizzy drinks. It was unbelievable. I raised it with the staff, but I bet it’s still there.

Louise Halmkan Slantenburg, Abu Dhabi