Schools are becoming harder to afford

A reader complains about exorbitant school fees. Other topics: Obama's legacy, noise pollution, culture, Arab Mall, house rent

A reader complains about the rising cost of school education. Sarah Dea / The National

The article Shocking level of school fee defaults among Pakistani expats in UAE (May 31) is obviously about one particular community school, but I haven't come across any nationality that told me their school fees were affordable.

The average fee in any school is Dh70,000 a year. Not everyone is earning Dh100,000 a month or gets school fees from their companies.

I hope the authorities do something about this. School should be a right, not a privilege.

Nicola Siotto, Dubai

Unsubstantiated claim on Obama

I refer to Tony Karon's opinion article It's all about the economy and it's not good news (May 31). This is bad, from the apparent total lack of interviews or reporting to the idea that there wasn't any Keynesian economic policy under Barack Obama, when the benchmark rates have been near zero for almost his entire presidency and there was at one point $80 billion worth of bond buying a month.

Mg Doyle, Hong Kong

Dubai also hit by noise pollution

Noise pollution is an issue in Dubai too (Noisy neighbourhoods disturb UAE residents, May 29).

In posh areas, it’s the inconsiderate drivers who create a nuisance by holding down their car horns at 3am and revving up the engines of their sports cars or bikes.

Issa Al Kindy, Dubai

Aim to bridge the cultural gap

Regarding the news item No handshake exemption for Muslim pupils, Swiss canton rules (May 26), some people just like to create distance and hate among cultures and religious groups. Daughters of many of my Muslim friends are happy to greet me despite my being male and non-Muslim.

Gianmaria Vidale, Dubai

I think that everybody should respect the culture of a country of their residence. In Switzerland and Italy, refusing a handshake is rude, but I don’t agree with the fine. I think this is too much and detrimental to cultural integration.

Beatrice Forgia, Abu Dhabi

I live in the UAE and I respect its laws.

Fran Garcia Fernandez, Dubai

Make the city more walkable

In reference to your story How walkability is taking strides in the UAE (May 29), I suggest canopies be put over shopfronts so there is continuous shade along the pavement.

The authorities could also consider installing machines every 200 to 300 metres during the summer that would spray cooling mists. The machines would discharge enough mist for cooling without people getting wet.

Chris Reid, Dubai

Arab Mall needs some outlets

It would have been useful if Arab Mall in Al Taawun in Sharjah had an outlet such as a supermarket, as well as some fast food restaurants and cinemas.

It’s sad that the only mall in the area for Al Taawun residents is lying almost empty.

George Fernandes, Sharjah

Rents ought to come down

Abu Dhabi can address the property supply glut by lowering rents. The removal of the cap sparked pure greed (Abu Dhabi may act to address property supply glut, official says, May 31). Now we need a market correction.

Philip Henry, Abu Dhabi

If there is a supply glut, surely rents should be coming down faster.

Name withheld by request

If there is oversupply in the market, then why do the rents keep going up?

Hamza Hassan, Dubai