Roberta Pennington's article UAE's push to become the world's happiest nation begins in the classroom (October 18) was very interesting.
I agree with the notion, but I believe certain steps should be required to make sure that teachers can turn classrooms into happy environments:
Pupil and classroom behaviour-management workshops should be given to each teacher.
Teachers’ promotions should be based on the classroom environment as much as on class results.
Teachers should take personality tests to determine if they fit a specific class environment.
The focus of society should be that the best among them become teachers.
If teachers are paid well, they will be happier. Happy teachers will create happy classrooms.
Grade levels for teachers should be defined nationally, so teachers don’t have to start from scratch when they move schools.
Management training should be given to principals.
Retention of teachers is the biggest issue. Many expatriate teachers come here on sabbatical leave, enjoy a year’s holiday, then go home without genuinely working hard and creating change in the school.
I am a university professor but I understand the struggles. If you want happiness to magically appear in classrooms, you need to mix your potions in the right proportions. It will take time, but it should always start with the teacher.
Benish Chaudhry, University of Modern Sciences, Dubai
Happy teachers make happy students. Treat your teachers well.
Cantal Fyfe-hudon, Dubai
Wi-Fi in cabs is not a priority
I refer to Free Wi-Fi in Abu Dhabi taxis from next month (October 18).
First advertisements on television screens in taxis, now free Wi-Fi. Sigh. We want good service, and good drivers with good knowledge of the city and safe driving habits.
We want a 21st century taxi-hailing app and we want to pay the taxi fare with our smartphones. Samer Bou-aoun, Abu Dhabi
We’d rather have taxi drivers with GPS so they know where to take us.
K Drabik, Abu Dhabi
This really is a lucky country
I agree with Khalaf Al Habtoor's opinion article, Our country sets a good example for the rest of the world (October 18).
We are extremely blessed that even in this day and age, I can leave my car unlocked and my house door unlocked, and remain calm about my personal belongings in public spaces.
This is because I’m aware of the security measures taken to keep me safe, but also because I have faith in our community. Just recently, a cab driver returned a very large amount of money to the authorities and it found its way back to the owner.
I’ve forgotten my wallet at cafes numerous times and returned either to find it exactly where I left it, or in the safe hands of cafe staff.
What's important for me is that you can feel safe in the community. Ahmed Alanzi, Dubai
I’ve been in Abu Dhabi twice with my husband, sponsored by my daughter, and I can attest that this country is very safe, and the people are warm and accommodating.
I love Abu Dhabi.
M Obrero, US
There is tremendous respect by the Government for the people and by the people for the Government. Moreover, criminal activity is not tolerated by the authorities or by the general population.
John Szymkowicz, US
Pakistan team is settled at ‘home’
Not many cricket-playing nations could call another country "home" and still deliver excellence on the field (The rise of Pakistan's Test team: In UAE, an existential longing for home, October 10).
Pakistan’s inability to host cricket matches due to security concerns has meant that, to keep up with their playing commitments, they had to find another venue – and the UAE suited them just fine. The recent night Test where records tumbled (on either side), nearly went the West Indies’ way, until an initially blunt Pakistani bowling attack managed to pull it back.
The progress made by the Pakistan team must be attributed to an improved approach instilled by their new South African coach, Mickey Arthur.
AR Modak, South Africa
