Dear Sir,
The news of a proposal to hike school fees for the academic year 2017-18, put forward by 120 private schools in Qatar to the Ministry of Education, is worrisome. Parents, especially in the low-income group, are already reeling from high school fees, a result of several hikes in the past. This is of particular concern to parents with more children.
I hope the Supreme Education Council (SEC) will look closely into the issue and will also weigh in the concerns of parents before arriving at a decision.
A concerned parent, Name and address supplied
Trump’s inaugural: proud of Pune girl
Dear Sir,
The news item “Thane girl to attend Trump’s inaugural” has made me proud. Besides attending the US President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural, Oishika Neogi, 17, will also attend a five-day US Presidential inauguration Leadership Summit. Neogi is pursuing her graduation from the reputable Symbiosis National University, Pune.
The reason for my excitement is that I am an alumnus of Symbiosis, where I studied Business Management after my schooling at MES School, Qatar. My happiness knows no bounds when I learn that my alma mater continues to produce great achievers and I wish this trend to continue.
The Kolkata-born Oishika got this rare opportunity after winning a contest at the Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) in the US in June 2015, and following her excellent performance at the Harvard Model United Nations competition in Hyderabad.
Among the other invitees expected for the Trump inaugural are the world’s youngest Nobel Peace laureate, Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai and prominent students from all over the world.
Young expatriates in Qatar can learn how to aim high and achieve goals from the youth in their home countries. Parents too can encourage their wards to emulate such achievers, who bring success and glory not only to themselves but also to their parents, nation and alma mater.
K Mahalingam, Via e-mail
Indian aviation needs safety audit
Dear Sir,
The incidences of commercial aircraft running into near-misses and skidding off runways should have raised alarm bells in India. The near-disaster at Delhi Airport last month when two aircraft belonging to Indigo and Spice Jet came face to face on the runway is an eye-opener. The potential disaster was averted just in the nick of time. Similarly an aircraft skidded off the runway at Goa airport, causing minor injuries to passengers. These incidences bring to fore the fact that India has to give urgent attention towards upgrading air safety.
India has seen a massive aviation boom in the last decade, when new green field airports were developed, new airlines started operating and Gulf carriers began daily operations to and from airports in different parts of India. This boom has led to a crippling shortage of experienced pilots, ATC (air traffic control) personnel and other technical staff .
It’s high time the Government of India carried out a comprehensive safety audit of its civil aviation industry. Better training to pilots and ATC personnel can reduce such incidents in future and make air travel safer.
Ramesh G Jethwani, Bengaluru, India
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