Abu Dhabi: A slew of revised regulations focus on ensuring the safety of children in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, both while they are at school and even while they are using school transport.

The rules were released in 2013, one by education sector regulator, the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec), and another by the transport sector regulator, the Department of Transport (DoT), in collaboration with the Adec and Abu Dhabi Police.

According to the Adec’s Organising Regulations of Private Schools in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (Executive Council Resolution No 26 of 2013), schools must send an attendance policy to guardians at the beginning of the academic year, and also follow up on pupils’ unjustified absences, dealing with them immediately. This includes systems to notify parents of absences.

Each school is also held fully responsible before the Adec for its transportation services. School buses and other vehicles used must be equipped with surveillance cameras and GPS tracking systems. In addition to hiring experienced bus drivers of good character, an adult must supervise every bus when pupils are being transported.

“His/her duties include ensuring the safe arrival of students and their safety when getting on and off the bus. He/she shall ascertain that the bus is completely empty upon arrival. Every supervisor shall sign an undertaking to confirm their acceptance to serve as a guardian of children’s safety and security while they are on the bus, and until they arrive and are handed over to a school official or the guardian,” the rules state.

Schools must also appoint female supervisors to oversee female pupils, as well as all children in kindergarten and Cycle 1 (Grades 1 to 5).

After dropping off the children, the attendant has to thoroughly check the bus and put up a board that reads ‘The bus is empty’.

If a school engages a private transportation company — individuals are not permitted — the rules must be part of the contract and it is the school’s responsibility to implement them. If parents make a contract with transporters, it would be their responsibility to ensure implementation of the rules.

DoT regulations, introduced in April this year, also specify the need for supervisors in all buses transporting children from private schools. For buses used by public schools, attendants must accompany all children aged 11 years or below. These individuals need to monitor children’s behaviour, collect them from pick-up points and drop them off safely.