UAE Sets Time Limit on School Transport
In the United Arab Emirates, reports that some students were spending more than two hours a day on school buses became a topic of discussion at the Federal National Council (FNC). The issue, brought forward after numerous parental complaints, raised concerns about student well-being and daily fatigue. FNC member Naama Abdullah Al Sharhan emphasized that it was unacceptable for some students to remain on school buses for more than two hours. Following these remarks, the UAE Minister of Education, Sarah Al Amiri, announced new regulations on school transportation times.
Under the new regulation, the maximum school bus journey time has been limited to 45 minutes for kindergarten students and 60 minutes for all other students. According to data from the Ministry of Education, compliance with the established time limits reached 98.5 percent during the first term of the current academic year. This figure represents a significant improvement over previous years, and it was also reported that average school bus travel times have decreased by 50 percent.
The Ministry of Education stated that it regularly reviews bus routes and has established a dedicated transport quality unit to monitor transportation operations. It is noted that discussions about school transport durations are part of broader reform efforts to improve service quality in the education system and strengthen student well-being.