Romney's ill-advised junket

Why is it that some people insist on treating women as second-class citizens, not allowing them to express themselves or shine? (Saudi female athletes in 'shameless' Olympics row, July 30)

If a person has the ability to be the fastest swimmer in the world, why not use that gift to win medals for their country?

It is a very sad way of thinking to suggest these Saudi female competitors are anything less than athletes. It is the people with sinful minds that are doing all the complaining.

Tricia Sutherland, Dubai

Romney doing US no favours abroad

Am I the only person worried that Mitt Romney as president would be a disaster for the Middle East? (Mitt Romney backs Israel in stopping a nuclear Iran, July 30).

Mr Romney and President Barack Obama seem to be falling over themselves to prove who loves Israel more, even if it means attacking Iran and bringing about more suffering based on unfounded claims of nuclear weapons.

Talk about the lesser of two evils in US presidential politics.

Frederick Melick, Australia

The Zionist entity has made no secret of its intention to oust Palestinians from their ancestral home.

And now that a kowtowing Mitt Romney and genuflecting President Obama compete to prostrate before their masters ahead of US elections, it is unlikely that Israeli politicians like Benjamin Netanyahu will reconsider their agenda.

Why should they, when the US policy is made in Tel Aviv?

All that Palestinians have on their side is their moral right to their own land and support of the conscientious worldwide.

Israel has neither.

Zia Ahad, Bangladesh

Endemic flaws to education model

Teaching is not an academic profession. It is a practical, pragmatic, skills-based activity, within an environment of empathy, enthusiasm and trust (Mentoring needed to retain new Emirati teachers, July 30).

Teachers of today, and certainly tomorrow, must find teaching methods that are both more individualised and in line with the needs and wishes of education's stakeholders.

Those stakeholders include the UAE, which needs Arabic instruction and fluency; cultural and religious training; parents who demand happy, enthusiastic, motivated and successful children; and colleges and university that rely on academically prepared high school graduates with English fluency.

When there is a gap between expectation and reality, you must either lower your expectations or raise the reality.

The discussion over education reform in the UAE reminds me of an iceberg. Everyone screams about what they can see (about 10 per cent) rather than the 90 per cent beneath the water. Address the 90 per cent.

Tom Pattillo, Canada

'Extra' school fees must be regulated

School costs are indeed getting sky-high (Schools' hidden extras mount up, July 29).

But as a parent I don't know the role the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) plays in improving the condition of these schools that charge so much.

Worse, the authority says it is not aware of these extra charges. How is that possible?

Name withheld by request

Time for India to focus on Games

I watched the Olympic opening ceremony and didn't notice this woman at all (India demands ceremony apology over Olympics gatecrasher, July 30). All I could see were bright yellow scarves and dresses of the Indian team.

Besides, this woman is one of their own nationals. India shouldn't worry about this woman stealing their limelight. Nobody would have noticed her if there wasn't such a big noise being made of this.

Name withheld by request

Region's bankers are short-sighted

In reference to your business article Financial brain drain for Bahrain (July 30), the same fate could befall banks in most GCC countries in the days to come.

Bankers have been exploiting expatriates for years, but they forget that many expatriates come from countries with more advanced banking systems and therefore could take care of their lending needs back home.

Advanced banking means maturity, expertise in credit products, banking statutes and legal frameworks, all of which continue to be in short supply in the GCC.

In the long run, predatory lending practices here will take their toll on the industry.

KB Vijayakumar, Dubai