I think homework is incredibly important (No homework?, August 24), and if you aren't ready and able to sit down with your children every single day to do a little bit of fun education together, you should not consider having children.
Ela Jayne, Abu Dhabi
Homework should come at a later stage in life when a child grows up and establishes basic family, community, traditional and cultural links – when they becomes more conscious of the surrounding environment.
Chukwuemeka Alozie, Dubai
I think family time, reading and a good night’s sleep is more important than homework for younger school pupils. With the exception of mathematics, which I believe should be practised daily, most homework is not necessary.
Haneefa Corbie, Abu Dhabi
The appeal of magazines
Brett Debritz's opinion article You won't believe how much gossip is just made up (August 24) was interesting.
I love to read the front pages of celebrity-gossip magazines. They often contradict each other, and usually the story inside has nothing to do with the headline. I wish they had to apologise when proved wrong.
Name withheld by request
Great experience at workshop
Last week, I read about the impending Genes in Space workshop in your newspaper that was held recently in Abu Dhabi (Free Genes in Space workshop for teachers and pupils, August 17). I was very interested so I applied. It was better than I thought.
First, the members of the ISS gave a presentation about how things are different in space than they are on Earth and they showed a few videos explaining it to us.
They also talked about a competition that involves designing a DNA experiment that could help astronauts (using a machine called PCR that makes copies of DNA). After that we grouped up and discussed some ideas for the competition.
After lunch, we went to a lab to do an experiment using a small PCR. We had DNA samples of burgers and sushi and we had to find out which of these had been contaminated. It was really fun. We used many new instruments and felt how it was really like to be a scientist in space.
I thank The National for informing about this one-of-a-kind opportunity.
Vansh Agarwal, Grade 8, Gems Modern Academy, Dubai
No formula for longevity
It might be true that Swami Sivananda is 120, but I don't think there is a particular formula to achieve longevity (Indian monk claims he is the oldest man to have ever lived, August 19). He says he has lived so long because he eats only boiled food without oil or spices . He doesn't take milk or milk products and sleeps on a mat. All these sound perfect, but there are many people like him in the world who followed a disciplined life but had an average lifespan.
Interestingly, I read some years ago about a Chinese man, who lived past 110. His explanation was that he woke up early in the morning, took two boiled eggs for breakfast and a glass of wine at night.
I personally knew someone who did not do any of these things, yet scored a century. Life, it seems, is truly in the hands of the Almighty.
Deep Saranya, Abu Dhabi
Extortions must be reported
In reference to the Q & A column, Dubai firm tries to charge British worker Dh11,500 despite no visa or work done (August 15), the individual concerned should also report the company to the Ministry of Labour.
This is the only way this type of thing will be eradicated.
The company in question is effectively trying to extort money and should be brought to account.
James Holmes, Dubai