We only want music on radio

Readers voice their preference for music-only radio channels. Other topics: VAT, Indian education system

Readers say they would prefer music-only radio channels. Steve Marcus / Reuters

It was great to have only music on the radio (Abu Dhabi Media relaunches Radio 1 and Radio 2, April 4). Nothing can ruin a day like a self-obsessed host waffling away.

I have already switched off one other station because of this reason.

Wiltrud Matthes, Dubai

It was much better when it was only music, without a guy speaking non-stop about nothing.

Adrien Ragobert, Abu Dhabi

I had to read twice what was suggested about age implication: “Focused on an older age group of 30- to 45-year-olds, Radio 2 will air music from the 1980s and 1990s.” I’m 49, so I guess this puts me on the “senior listener” category. Do I need permission to tune in to Radio 1?

Perihan Bermamet, Abu Dhabi

Taxes are fine, but wages should rise

In reference to the editorial VAT has costs and benefits for residents (April 4), additional taxes aren't a problem if, as in all other countries, wages rise approximately in line with inflation. They don't. Some salaries don't rise at all.

I know people who haven’t had a raise in years, who in some cases earn less now than they did before the recession. The cost of living will rise each year that the Government doesn’t mandate some sort of review and reward scheme for employees.

As long as companies are allowed to use salaries as a means to offset other business expenses, this problem isn’t going away.

Philip Sharpe, Dubai

Cut out corporate retail cartels and their price-setting, then the 5 per cent rise won’t even be noticed after a short time. Don’t be worried about a price race to the bottom – all it will do is increase customer service.

Giles Heaton, Dubai

After reading the article Consumer fears over high cost of living after VAT (April 2), this editorial is a complete backflip.

Febin Christopher, Dubai

Indian education needs overhaul

I would like to bring to your notice the problems of the CBSE system of education. But before I begin, let me clarify that what it has been trying to implement is not necessarily bad.

For years, children have studied selectively from their textbooks, and they have seldom been disappointed at the exams. They got most of the questions they predicted. Now the board wants to put an end to this practice.

Up to this point it’s fine. But the way it has been doing it is upsetting.

This year, questions for some papers, including accounts and business studies, were not just unpredictable but they were outside of the syllabus. Some papers were too lengthy to be completed within the stipulated three hours.

More importantly, I think teachers should have been informed by the CBSE that it would change the pattern of its exams and that they should encourage children to read their textbooks thoroughly.

While this is imperative, the method of teaching in CBSE schools has always supported selective reading for the final exams. As a result, the majority of children taking their Class 12 exams were baffled when they do not get any expected questions.

Any positive change is welcome, but it’s wrong to make sudden and unexpected changes, so much so that even teachers did not know how to handle them.

I would suggest that the board overhaul the entire system of education to do away with rote learning.

Education should be more practical orientated, as is the case with the European and American systems of education. This is long overdue.

Name withheld by request