UAE | General
Ministry looks into boy's death on school bus
The Ministry of Education's legal department has begun investigating the death of a boy on a school bus in Abu Dhabi last month after receiving a report on the incident.
- By Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:52 May 11, 2008
Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Education's legal department has begun investigating the death of a boy on a school bus in Abu Dhabi last month after receiving a report on the incident, Gulf News has learnt.
The Abu Dhabi Educational Zone (ADEZ) submitted a report by a three-member committee to the ministry.
"We received the report from ADEZ today [Sunday] and have started our investigation," a senior official at the legal department of the Ministry of Education in Dubai told Gulf News.
"We will talk to school and transport staff," said the official who requested to remain anonymous. He did not comment on the ADEZ report, which found serious lapses on the part of the school caused the death of the child.
Aatish Shabin, 4, a pupil at Merryland Kindergarten on Muroor Road in Abu Dhabi, died on April 24 when he was left behind on a school bus for three hours.
Rules not followed
"We will take action against whoever was responsible for his death," said the official.
He did not elaborate on what action could be taken in such circumstances. "It depends on the findings of our investigation."
Another senior official said the committee appointed by ADEZ found his life could have been saved if the school had followed the rules issued by the Ministry of Education for the safety and security of children.
"A supervisor from the school has to keep a list of pupils on the bus and has to check the bus before the doors are closed," said Mohammad Salem Al Daheri, Director of ADEZ.
"The safety and security during transportation of children is the responsibility of the school," he said.
Merryland Kindergarten in a statement issued to Gulf News had previously said it was not responsible for the incident as transportation was assigned to a private company.
Shabin Sreedharan, Aatish's father, told Gulf News, he was eagerly awaiting the Ministry of Education's decision.
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