With reference to your article about Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed's tour of Japan (Emirati patients in South Korea get a surprise visit from Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, February 27) I believe that some nations would benefit from applying the UAE's policies when it comes to foreign affairs.
Most of the contributions made by the UAE have to do with education and development.
In Japan, the main focuses, as I read, were education, oil development, and defensive agreements.
The UAE has also been involved in countries like Zambia, where it is contributing to their education system. Even in Afghanistan, the UAE is building schools and hospitals.
I strongly believe that these investments will not only make the receiving country a better place, but they will also influence their governments and teach them new ways to run their nations.
What if other countries in the region did the same? What if they also focused on becoming a neutral state that only looks for peace and for helping nations in need?
I really believe that if UAE foreign policy was applied by other nations in the region, life would be much easier.
Ebrahim Al Harbi, Abu Dhabi
Some people have questioned why UAE patients are being sent overseas for treatment, but I believe what is not good is failing to acknowledge that you have a shortage somewhere in your system.
The UAE government is improving THE health care system to be one of the best, but until then you will still have people who are suffering so they are sent, at government expense, to wherever they can be treated.
That is a hundred times better than waiting for the health system to be improved to the point where it can deal with all cases.
Omar Alblooshi, Al Ain
Education is not just a business
With regard to your article, Almost 7,000 Dubai pupils not getting an acceptable education in Indian and Pakistani schools (February 28), while this is a serious cause for concern, I believe the authorities should help these schools to improve their standards instead of constantly putting these institutions under the scanner.
Most of the Pakistani and some Indian schools are unable to provide quality education due to financial constraints and a limited budget. These schools are affordable for parents, especially for those with more than one school-going child.
However keeping the fees reasonable in turn affects the school’s progress. And in case these schools raise their fees and utilise those funds to improve in various aspects, it is ultimately the parents who will bear the brunt.
This is why it is necessary for the authorities to come up with a solution where children can get quality education with their parents having to spend large amounts.
Fatima Suhail, Sharjah
It’s true that our children are not getting a good education here.
When education is treated as a business, this is the result.
Mohammed Kaleem, Dubai
Company has a duty to keep workers safe
With regard to your story, Abu Dhabi window cleaners without safety harness spark concerns (February 28), I do not actually believe it is the company's fault.
Everyone points fingers at the big guy cause he is an easy target to hit. If every worker was concerned about their own safety, they would demand a harness.
Things like this don’t even happen in the western world, but here sometimes even when equipment is provided, workers don’t use them.
Aaron Antonio Pinto, Abu Dhabi
Ensuring workers keep themselves safe is the responsibility of the company.
These companies get rich and pay their employees a pittance. I wonder how many managers or owners of these companies would venture on to that ledge even if they had a safety harness?
Christina Murphy, Abu Dhabi
Like that hard hat is going to save him if he falls. I hope the company has been severely fined and reprimanded.
Belinda Wallington, Oman
Internet cafe ban not the real issue
While I agree that many children need to be helped with studies away from school, I am not sure banning access to internet cafes is the answer (Ban on children using internet cafes during school hours a proposal at police forum, February 28).
How many children do you see sitting in the general area off malls taking internet access from a nearby cafe where one friend is sitting and has passed on the password?
Look into these cafes and you will see the real issue. Parents continually surfing on their phones and not socialising with their family. These are the role models that children copy.
Mike Burton, Abu Dhabi
