How can expatriates leave pets behind?
I appreciate the efforts of the animal lover Amirah William, a New Zealander living in the UAE, who owns a rescue shelter in the Umm Al Quwain for stray and abandoned dogs (‘Animal shelter braces for spike in abandoned dogs’, Gulf News, May 21). This shelter is already grappling with 131 abandoned dogs. Many expatriates leave their pets behind in empty villas with no food and water. It is inhuman and cruel. Animals have the right to live on this Earth just as much as we do, because they are also created by God. The UAE authorities should bring stringent rules for expatriates not keeping their dogs unless they can’t take care of them properly. From Mr Sunny Joseph Mala, India
Let children choose
T he opinion piece by the deputy director of Louvre Abu Dhabi is a very thought-provoking one (‘Why art education is crucial for the UAE’s development’, Gulf News, May 18). Creativity plays a crucial role in developing our future leaders who drive this skill in an ever competitive world. I do agree that the most talked about, the most desired, the most cherished fields in education rotate and revolve around Stem — Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. These fields are critical and hold a lot of weight, however, there is another equally important field gaining momentum — art. That is why I feel that the author is right. As a mother of a teenage daughter who is all set to explore her career as a student in the field of art, I had this daunting question surface every single day. Does a bright student only focus on Stem or can art find a place in the kaleidoscope of career choices?
This article further built my trust and assurance that we as parents are the guiding force for our children. Let them choose the career they desire, because if passion and career choice amalgamate, the outcome will surely be magical.
Thank you for reinstating the magic that creativity can weave into the world and help not only sustain, it can help so many artistically inclined aspiring students carve a niche for themselves. From Ms Shalini Menezes UAE
Education is the key
A s an educator in the UAE I totally agree with the Mashreq CEO’s statement (‘Business needs to support failing UAE education system: Mashreq CEO’, Gulf News, May 21). The system’s issues can only be addressed by paying for teachers who are capable of taking education to a higher standard. When the majority of primary elementary and high school teachers are not capable of passing the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) entrance examinations themselves then there is a problem. When the base salary of a teacher is set at Dh2,500 and this is all the administration wants to pay for teachers, the students and families will suffer.
The future of the nation lies in education and it must be at a world class standard for every child. Education is and always has been the key to success. From Ms Gloria Butler Dubai Facebook comment
Make major changes
R estructure Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and change its policies (‘Let’s shut down PIA, says Pakistan government’, Gulf News, May 20). Change the top management and lazy workers who are sitting at home enjoying a government salary. Bring in the younger generation who will work hard and dedicate themselves toward the betterment of PIA. From Ms Zahra Sherwani Sharjah Facebook comment
It’s all a strategy
T he government doesn’t want to stabilise it, because when it will go bankrupt, the government can privatise it easily. Then they will sell its planes at cheap prices to someone who will be their business partner. From Mr Zulqurnain Mohammad Mustafa Makkah, Saudi Arabia Facebook comment
Have they gone too far?
A ren’t we tired of watching two versions of each movie (‘Sylvester Stallone hopes India won’t wreck ‘Rambo’, Gulf News, May 21)? For almost every movie made in Hollywood, they seem to make one in Bollywood, too. The rip-offs are getting cheekier than ever. Back then it was just a scene or two stolen from the original. Then it was the plot, but it was under a different title. But now it’s a full on copy and paste. From Ms Morvarid Jalali UAE Facebook comment
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