Schools facing funds crunch need support

A reader says every child should have access to quality education. Other topics: landlords and tenants, car accident, Sharjah traffic

A reader says every child deserves access to quality education. Nicole Hill / The National

You have rightly pointed out in your editorial Share the cost of education (February 19) that schools such as the Gulf Model School in Dubai cannot raise their standards largely because they do not earn much. But there are some Indian schools that charge low fees yet they maintain a good standard.

Likewise, there are some institutions that charge high fees but do not pay adequate attention to quality.

One of the most important things to ensure standards is to recruit good teachers. And you can get good teachers only if you are ready to pay them well. This is a Catch-22 situation. I agree that schools such as the Gulf Model School can serve low and middle-income families in a proper way if they are supported by Indian business communities.

The children of parents who cannot afford to pay high fees also deserve a good education.

Sameer Nair, Dubai

Communication can solve issues

I refer to the news report Dubai landlord refuses to pay tenant's Dh8,000 water bill after leak (February 19). A lack of dialogue and understanding exacerbates these issues. Both parties need to be able to communicate effectively.

Unfortunately, when it comes down to money it is never that simple.

Name withheld on request

The landlord can go after the maintenance company. The tenant should have zero obligation to pay for a leak in a building she doesn’t own. If helping a landlord with his responsibilities is part of leasing, then the tenant should know up front or should have privileges of ownership. This should be a simple matter, but here it is convoluted.

Kimberly Whittenberg Dezarn, Abu Dhabi

When we moved to Al Ain a few years ago, we had to pay our landlord’s one-year outstanding on water and electricity for two properties – the one in which he lived, as well as our rented home. He insisted that we needed to pay the amount to get water and electricity connection. We later found out that he never made the payment.

Name withheld by request

An accident less traumatic

I had a minor accident recently. I tried to veer out of the way of the car in front of me. By doing so I hit a steep kerb on Khawaneej Road at such a weird angle that both tyres on the right side of the vehicle got shredded. I called the police and our leasing company, as our vehicle is a lease car from them.

The police were concerned that no one was hurt and not only sent a patrol car with two friendly officers but also called me after about 20 minutes to make sure the patrol had arrived. The leasing company was quick to respond.

It sent a recovery vehicle with an exchange car immediately, and while we – my two sons and grandchildren – waited for the same, they called me at five-minute intervals to let me know where the recovery vehicle had reached and how much longer they would take.

All this took about 30 to 45 minutes. In the meantime, no less than 20 cars stopped to ask if we were all right and if help was on its way. I think in many western countries no one would have stopped. I really hope that people in the UAE maintain this attitude of being naturally helpful, sympathetic and friendly.

The whole experience was quite incredible and indeed a positive one, despite the fact that accidents are normally quite scary and traumatising.

Rita Amer, Dubai

Sharjah traffic is a complex issue

With regard to your editorial Sharjah's slow lane (February 16), apart from extending the Metro, Sharjah should widen the roads. It should also have dedicated roads for heavy vehicles.

Shoaib Ali, Dubai

It’s hard to find a solution to Sharjah’s problem, because the emirate gets traffic from everywhere – including Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai.

Ahmed Bin Al Shaikh, Sharjah