UAE | Education

Supervisors 'must' for all school buses in Dubai

Every school bus in Dubai must carry a supervisor on board as per new stringent rules to ensure the safety of pupils.

  • By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter
  • Published: 00:03 June 12, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Every school bus in Dubai must carry a supervisor on board as per new stringent rules to ensure the safety of pupils.
  • Image Credit: Gulf News Archive

Dubai: Every school bus in Dubai must carry a supervisor on board as per new stringent rules to ensure the safety of pupils.

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, has approved the rules prepared by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) regarding the safety of school children in the emirate. Eisa Al Dossari, CEO of the RTA's Public Transport Agency, said the new rules will be implemented from September 1 this year after the summer vacation.

As per the new rules, all buses - whether owned by schools or rented - will be licensed by the Public Transport Agency, which will ensure that they follow all safety rules. All school bus drivers will have to get special permits from the RTA in addition to his driving licence, to drive a school bus.

Fines for violation

Every school bus must have a supervisor on board and it must also have an electronic stop sign to warn other motorists while picking up or dropping a pupil. School buses failing to follow rules will face fines ranging from Dh50 to Dh500 and can also lead to cancellation of licences. At least 10 school children have been killed in accidents involving school buses since January 2007.

Does your child's school already have a supervisor? How safe has that made your child's journey? What other steps do you think can be taken to ensure safety of pupils on buses? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form bellow to send your comments.


Your comments


1. Need to inform the parents if they are coming late due to traffic. 2. they have to be humble and understanding each child specially kgs and primary section children. 3. they have to inspect and recheck that all childrens are out of the bus cz many children sleep wherever they are in the bus. 5. Driver has to drive safely.
Careen
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 12, 2008, 10:12

I would like to thank RTA for this amazing rule but also to ask one question. What kind of supervisor they will use in the buses. I think some schools will use the cleaners so not to pay to an educated person, I think they should also put conditions and requirements upon recruitment.
Sama
Duabi,UAE
Posted: June 12, 2008, 09:06

The buses shouldn't move until the child has entered the house. Must help them to cross the road safely. this new rule is very good and will help to ensure the safety of every child.
Asma
Al Ain,UAE
Posted: June 12, 2008, 09:03

The supervisors appointed should be a lady and not man to ensure safety of girls.
Agnes
Dubai,U.A.E
Posted: June 12, 2008, 08:56

Outsourcing transport is to be abolished. School standards can not be maintained by a transporter. It is a relief to know H.H decision. Schools should take the responsibility by having their own fleet and staff to be in sync With their standards.
Mohyuddin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 12, 2008, 08:55

The new rule is very essential for the safety of the children, which will enable them to be safe and secure through out their journey to the school, as well as a relief to the parents who are in fear until there children are back.
Muhammad
Calicut,India
Posted: June 12, 2008, 08:41

I feel that there is no use of just employing anyone as a supervisor. They should be trained to handle children and emergency situations and must be articulate enough to communicate well with the children and public. Most of all they should be mobile and never sedentary.
Latha
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 12, 2008, 08:37

I strongly suggest that concerned authority to implement a "system" on routine monitoring to ensure buses are complying by the requirement, and not just seeting up requirements for the shelves. Also it's strongly suggested that proper training program to be set up for drivers and supervisors.
Karkain
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 12, 2008, 08:17

I welcome the decision of the authorities to carry a supervisor on board in the School bus. Also recently some school managements has take a decision to move their school buses to a private company. I do not know how they will control if the buses are operated by a private company for a school where thousands of students are studying.
Biju
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 12, 2008, 08:08

What a relief. As a mother,my kids go and come from school via school bus, and like any other mother out there, I worry because bus drivers just drop the kids anywhere sometimes very far from the building you stay. This step is long over due,thanks to HH Shaikh Hamdan,and to RTA for this clever move, after all, our young kids are our future, we better protect them now.
Maryam
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 12, 2008, 08:00

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