Schools should focus on providing education – not making profit

Our readers have their say on education, Narendra Modi, Turkey's offensive on Syria, and Abu Dhabi having its own metro

Schools must put education before profit. Reem Mohammed The National

I write to you in reference to Anam Rizvi's article How Dubai schools can offer good education 'without the bells and whistles' (October 12).

There is a relatively easy solution to this problem: just prevent schools from becoming business enterprises that treat students as customers. Education should be the goal of schools – not profit.

Name withheld by request

Narendra Modi is paving the way for change in the subcontinent

This refers to the media reports and videos of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleaning up beaches in Mamallapuram in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, and the extensive criticism he received on various social media platforms.

This as a mere environmental awareness initiative that happens to be led by Mr Modi, it is in no way a political calculation.

The activities the prime minister partakes in, whether in India or abroad, must not automatically be seen as schemes devised by the BJP.

The Swachh Bharat initiative is actually intended for India to become a better, cleaner country.

Organisations should embrace such environmental initiatives as part of their corporate social responsibility.

Ramachandran Nair, Muscat

A confrontation between Turkey and Syria would be a disaster

I write to you in reference to your editorial Turkey's illegal invasion of Syria could have irrevocable consequences (October 10).

This is going to end in bloodshed for sure. If Damascus joins forces with the Kurds to defend northern Syria, then Turkey is likely to launch an all-out offensive against the Syrian regime as well.

Turkey has an edge in fire power over Bashar Al Assad’s regime.

I hope a confrontation between the two armies does not take place as this will likely ruin every chance of peace for Syria.

Hasan Nazim Khan, India

Abu Dhabi needs its own metro line to boost public transportation use

I write to you in reference to your article Abu Dhabi toll gate system free until January (October 13).

Building a metro that would connect Abu Dhabi island to Khalifa, Yas, Mussafah and Saadiyat would be extremely helpful for residents of the capital.

It would certainly contribute to boosting the use of public transportation.

Sarah Lloyd, UAE