Don't bother with Beckham

The English footballer has nothing to offer UAE teams or the local league, a reader says. Other topics: compulsory education, breastfeeding and PayPal.

A reader says former England star David Beckham is not a good fit for UAE football. Kevork Djansezian / Getty Image

Remedial courses essential if school is compulsory

Thank you for bringing to light the plight of children with learning disabilities (Expatriates fear compulsory schooling bill, November 18).

Expatriates are forced to pay a premium for basic education. However, our children's basic education needs are sometimes not met, and students with learning difficulties have nowhere to turn.

Not only should mainstream schools, which charge a fortune for basic education, provide programmes to keep children with different needs enrolled, but the Ministry of Education has a responsibility to require schools to integrate remedial programmes.

Otherwise, any legislation to ensure all expatriates have their children enrolled is essentially redundant, because it is the schools that are denying these children an education.

Strong remedial programmes are a core part of the educational system in other countries, and they should be here, too.

H Hashem, Dubai

Breastfeeding not easy, but worth it

In reference to Law aims to drive home 'breast is best' message (November 20), I have been exclusively breastfeeding my child for more than a year now.

Yes, it's often difficult and I can't recall how many times I've wanted to give up. But I think I have been able to do it by having the right mindset, doing my research and surrounding myself with positive and supportive people.

It saddens me that I see a lot of mothers give up on breastfeeding and then eventually regret it when they realise that their baby has missed out on a lot.

Christine Scote, Abu Dhabi

Respect should follow celebrations

I have enjoyed watching people in Abu Dhabi busily prepare to celebrate the 41st National Day.

As usual, work has begun on illuminating the roadsides and buildings, raising UAE flags and fixing photographs of the nation's leaders on lamp posts, vehicles and buildings. Some people living in villas, especially those in remote areas, have attached very big flags to their roofs.

I appreciate the spirit of patriotism among Emiratis; they are certainly entitled to be enthusiastic about being citizens of this country. Many expatriates are also joining in to celebrate this splendid occasion.

However, I have a request that, when the celebrations are over, people afford respect to the flags and photos by carefully removing them, rather than allowing them to fall on the ground and become damaged.

KP Muhammad, Abu Dhabi

PayPal a welcome addition to UAE

PayPal befriends Middle East (November 15) can only be positive news for e-commerce in the UAE.

I built a UK-based e-commerce website business and integrated it into a Dubai-based advertising agency that has traded in the UAE for 18 years.

However, the barrier to entry is the payment gateway for e-commerce. In the UK there is a lot of choice, but here we have to integrate with three key banks.

The drawback for using PayPal in the UAE has been that our clients have had to have US-dollar accounts. This has been a problem for smaller clients so, hopefully, this will now change.

I look forward to seeing the full details of this plan.

Peter Riches, Dubai

Tower cladding a cause for concern

I am writing in reference to Fire victims struggle to find new homes (November 21).

Thank goodness there were no injuries in the fire.

However, it was frightening to read that an estimated 70 per cent of buildings contain the same type of cladding used in this tower.

M Duncan, Dubai

Signing Beckham is not the answer

In A perfect match for Beckham (November 21), your newspaper suggests that Pro League clubs should make bids for the ageing English football superstar.

Certainly the UAE clubs could afford to offer him a contract, and playing here would considerably sweeten his retirement pot - as if Beckham and his famous family really need any more money.

His presence on the field might attract a few more fans to games, but will it help raise the standard of football here?

I would have thought that the failed experiment of bringing Diego Maradona here to coach would have made the local clubs, and the league, reluctant to spend more on a big name who is, let's face it, over the hill.

If we are to have imports, why not sign up some rising stars rather than allow a player at the end of his career to enjoy a "victory lap" at somebody else's expense?

P Gregory, Dubai