With reference to your online story 'Sport or no sport – let girls choose: UAE residents react strongly to FNC member's anti-rugby comments (November 21), sports are great but why not have cooking classes and other basic life skills for both boys and girls?
I always loved all my extra-curricular activities, from carpentry workshops to car maintenance, cooking, sewing, music and art.
There are so many great classes and life skills that make a person whole person but have dropped off the curriculum.
R Saraiva, Abu Dhabi
How about we give both girls and boys the chance to chose whatever they want to – whether that is rugby, cooking or both? No one else should decide for them. They should. Offer them both and more.
Casey Al Hammadi, Dubai
I taught rugby at Latifa girls school and they loved it.
Louise Cairns, Dubai
Boys love to cook as well. Look how many male chefs there are. It should not be a question of either/ or but both. And while we are at it, lots of girls would like to learn more woodwork and design skills too.
All pupils need lessons in how to budget their finances and how to make sure they do not run up debt on credit cards and end up paying lots of interest.
There are lots of useful life skills they should all be taught, regardless of gender.
Gayle Stokes, Crewkerne, UK
We should give girls and boys in school the freedom to discover what they are good at, what they enjoy and what brings them joy, rather than try to compartmentalise them into gender-based roles.
Tania Sawaya, Dubai
Choking smog in our streets in Delhi is far from capital
Regarding your story Why Delhi-dwellers are breathing in the equivalent of 40 cigarettes a day (November 20), Rashmee Roshan Lall's article on the Indian capital's ongoing problems with pollution and the conditions in which people are living and breathing was a fascinating read.
According to the World Health Organisation’s report, Delhi is the sixth most polluted city. More cars on the road seems to be the main reason for pollution, made worse by destroying and burning rubbish in open places.
As the capital, the Indian government should work to make Delhi less polluted and persuade people to use their cars less frequently. The authorities must take concrete measures to minimise pollution.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
