We still need qualified tutors
Dear Sir,
The decision of the Supreme Education Council (SEC) to clamp down on the fraudulent activities of unqualified “teachers” masquerading as bona fide educators should be applauded and will earn the gratitude of many parents over the years to come.
However, on the face of it, the SEC directive does seem to raise concerns in other areas.
According to media reports, it is now illegal even for qualified tutors to teach children in Qatar, whether in government or private schools.
Given the country’s justifiably proud track record as an education innovator in the region this would appear incongruous.
As far as I am aware, private tutoring has never been banned in a developed country because the practice is universally accepted as an extension of in-school learning.
I myself have benefited from private tuition, in the UK, when it was necessary for my brother and I to “catch up” with pupils in our respective years after our boarding school was shut down by the authorities (that’s a long story!).  We did so in the only way possible (with thanks, in my case, to the wonderful “Miss Evans”, my tutor).
Surely parents have the right to choose the best path for their sons and daughters who aspire towards good exam grades and university acceptance - and ultimately to success in the global workplace.
Furthermore, it is well documented that English-medium schools across the world face a looming crisis because there is an acute shortage of qualified English curriculum teachers. The UK government is scrambling to address this issue but here, in the meantime, qualified tutors would surely have a useful, constructive role to play.  
Accordingly, should it not be clarified that the prospect of facing a fine, jail and deportation is strictly reserved for those who deserve it most - those fraudulent charlatan “tutors: who play so ruthlessly with the future of our children?

 PP
(Full name and e-mail address supplied)

A profound loss for Indian art world
Dear Sir,
The death of eminent  Bharatanatyam dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai  is a profound loss for the Indian art world. She was a great exponent of Bharatanatyam who played a pivotal role in popularisation of  Indian dance forms.
She was a multifaceted personality, besides being a trained Bharatanatyam, Kathakali and Mohiniyattam dancer, she was a poet, an environmentalist and a choreographer. She was a fervent believer in India’s secular culture. She was also an inspiring teacher to thousands of students; she had  trained more than 18,000 students in Indian classical dances.
She was honoured with  many distinguished awards and citations in recognition of her contribution to arts.

Ramesh G Jethwani
(e-mail address supplied)