A reader thinks top-performing schools shouldn’t be allowed to hike fees. Getty Images
A reader thinks top-performing schools shouldn’t be allowed to hike fees. Getty Images

Parents struggle to pay rising school fees



It's wrong to allow schools rated "outstanding" to increase fees by double the Education Cost Index, which is 4.8 per cent (Fees for top Dubai schools could jump by 4.8 per cent next academic year, February 20).

An outstanding school is probably already charging outrageous fees. To allow them to raise fees even more is outrageous. Fees are already unaffordable for the majority of people. Is the goal to force parents to homeschool their children?

Sara Smith, Dubai

Dubai accident rate is scary

More than 1,100 road accidents in one week is a big deal (More than 1,100 road accidents in Dubai over the weekend, February 20). To all the drivers who are reading this, please use indicators before changing lanes and don't overtake hastily. Please care for your and our lives. I do get nervous with sudden movements of cars. Don't expect everybody to be a perfectionist.

Accidents can be avoided only if we care for others and allow others to share the road.

Muskaan Saeed, Dubai

Debate over Burj stunt

I refer to the report Dubai police summon Russian model who dangled from Cayan Tower (February 19).

Individuals violating public safety and promoting irresponsible stunts to younger and impressionable people ought to be jailed. The punishment should be such that it discourages others from trying similar things. We should not wait until someone falls to death for something as stupid as this act. Not just the model, but all those who took part in it should be jailed and then expelled from the country.

Ruhi Bafrali, Georgia

I’m not defending her, but I’m just wondering what all this fuss is about. There are many videos taken in many cities across the world of people jumping from one rooftop of a skyscraper to another and everyone appreciated them. I’m sure those stuntmen were not arrested.

Marina Lomaya Kansou, Dubai

To answer the question on Facebook whether the model should face legal action for her dangerous stunt, I’m not sure she committed a criminal act. That’s for the authorities to say.

My concern is how does one get entry to a building like this and access to the outside? I agree that this incident requires investigation. In case of an accident, who would have been held liable? Possibly the building management knew of the act and allowed it. We’ve seen people take selfies at the top of buildings. We’ve seen people climb the Burj Khalifa.

We’ve seen stunts in movies performed at similar heights. One thing I am sure of: Viktoria Odintcova put Dubai in the limelight, which could be positive.

Name withheld by request

We live in the 21st century. Viktoria Odintcova is an adult and she can do whatever she pleases to do. Unless she breaks any law, she cannot be charged.

Sarim Mahtab, Dubai

My question is whether she obtained the necessary authorisation and was accompanied by a professional who would guarantee her safety.

Amani Hendi, Abu Dhabi

Stage 2

1. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix 4:18:30

2. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:06

3.  Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma 0:00:06

4. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:06

5. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:00:08

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NO OTHER LAND

Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal

Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham

Rating: 3.5/5

UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

if you go

Fire and Fury
By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
AIR
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The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

TALE OF THE TAPE

Manny Pacquiao
Record: 59-6-2 (38 KOs)
Age: 38
Weight: 146lbs
Height: 166cm
Reach: 170cm

Jeff Horn
Record: 16-0-1 (11 KOs)
Age: 29
Weight: 146.2lbs
Height: 175cm
Reach: 173cm

Fixtures
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At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

Tips for job-seekers
  • Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
  • Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.

David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East

England squad

Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Dominic Bess, James Bracey, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Ben Foakes, Lewis Gregory, Keaton Jennings, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Amar Virdi, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood