Dreadful experience for pupils as buses arrive late

Abu Dhabi: The first day at school turned out to be a dreadful experience for both parents and pupils of The Private International English School in Abu Dhabi when children didn't not reach until three hours after school dispersed, parents said.

The joy of first day at the new Indian school in Abu Dhabi turned to utter panic as parents waited anxiously for hours at bus stops after the school dispersed at 3.30pm, and without any communication from the transport supervisor regarding the delay.

Some complained that they had no clue what was happening to their children as transportation in-charge and respective bus drivers were unreachable on their phones.

"It was past 6.30 and I am desperately trying to call Mr Noel, who is the transportation in charge. His mobile is switched off and the bus driver is not responding to my call. My son was supposed to be dropped by 4.30," said an angry father who requested not to be named. His son is in Grade 2 and the family lives in Muroor that is 25 kilometres away from the school.

Several attempts made by Gulf News to contact Noel last evening went unanswered.

Steps taken

The Private International English School, located in Musaffah is managed by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, India's largest education network. They opened the doors to pupils on Sunday.

The management has taken every step to resolve the issue, Rajalakshmi Pillai, school Principal said.

"There was some confusion as it was the first day and the children were going to school after a long holiday. I have been on the phone with parents till late at night and I have assured them that we are sparing no efforts to avoid any such inconvenience in the future," Pillai told Gulf News.

Explaining the reasons that caused the delay, the principal said school buses were clubbing three to four areas in their routes.

"Now I have instructed them to use smaller buses and have also increased the number of routes from five to nine. Everything is under control now and there will not be any inordinate delays," she said.

"It is no joke to wake up children and get them ready by 6 - 6.30 [in the morning]. The pick up time for my five-year-old son was 6.30 and it was 7.45 when finally the bus arrived," said a mother who requested anonymity.

Another parent who also stays in Muroor said his daughter in Kindergarten 2 reached home at 3.30 though her classes finished at 12.30.

"My wife was waiting at the stop from 1.30pm, as that was the drop off time given by the school," said the parent.