I agree that we need to do more to protect our pristine coastline and the marine ecosystem (We need to save marine life, May 9). Oil spills can happen anywhere, but if these incidents take place repeatedly, then some action is needed to prevent them from repeating.
Amna Ali, Dubai
Laundry service is too expensive
Your article Online laundry service attends to UAE's pressing needs (May 1) does not appear to be well researched.
I have been using a laundry and dry cleaning service that is close to my office in Abu Dhabi.
Apart from the main branch, it has three other branches in the emirate. They offer a 48-hour service with an option for “same day” for an additional charge.
The main difference is the price. The laundry quoted in the story charges Dh18 for a shirt, while it’s Dh6 at my laundry – folded or on a hanger and, believe me, it is a premium service.
The service also included collection and delivery. If the order is less than Dh50, it attracts a Dh5 surcharge. It also send a text message before delivery.
The article fails to mention that there is a Dh5 service fee on every order and that there is a minimum charge of Dh45 per order.
If you want to pay 50 per cent more for your laundry and dry cleaning service, then go for it.
Jeremy Weeks, Abu Dhabi
Schools are run like businesses
I am writing in reference to the article High school fees 'necessary to attract best teachers' (May 6). When you see that most of private schools' net profits hit millions of dirhams, you can tell it is not about maintaining quality education. Rather, it's about making more profits.
Firas Barqawi, Jordan
I would request Clive Pierrepont of Taleem to support his thesis with data. We would like to see the company’s balance sheet.
If he is telling the truth, we will be happy to pay the extra for our child’s education.
Giuseppe Tarantil'e, Dubai
I worked in a non-profit school system in the United States. Staff were paid an average of $30,000 and given a 50 per cent discount for their children. We competed with local public schools that consistently won awards for being top in the state.
We had to convince parents that our services met and beat the excellent free public schools and put their children and money with us. We had dedicated staff, from the top to the bottom, and made sure parents felt satisfied and committed to us.
It took two years to build our reputation and to break even.
I worked as the communications and relations manager. By my third year, we were beyond breaking even and had a long waiting list. Education, high quality services, effective communication and employee contentment are what sold our business.
I’ve switched with many schools here. I’ve spoken to countless parents. The only people close to being satisfied with their children’s schools are the ones in the top tier in cost.
It’s absolute rubbish to try to convince parents that schools are run on anything but a profit module.
Education quality falls very low on the list. If in the US, with all its taxes, higher wages and bigger overhead costs, somehow private schools can manage to turn a profit, you cannot convince us the same can’t be done here.
Feda Jarad, Dubai