A growing number of school groups in the United Arab Emirates are helping parents by not charging them for transport during the distance learning period.
Some school groups, like School Transport Services, one of the school transport operators are giving parents a refund or credit on transport fees for April. This is because they are providing services.
School Transport Services, which works with schools run by GEMS Education and other institutions says it will either give parents a credit for payments or refund them if they ask.
If parents have already paid for terms or the full academic year the balance will be carried forward. Students in their year will get direct refunds. However refunds will only be processed once schools reopen.
Some school groups are completely waiving transport fees during distance learning.
Woodlem Education was one of the first to announce this starting April 2024 which will help over 20,000 students across its schools in Dubai, Ajman and Sharjah. They said this is part of their commitment to supporting families during times.
The Indian High Group of Schools also stopped charging transport fees for online learning. They confirmed fees will only apply from the day students return to campus not for any instruction days.
The Habitat Group of Schools announced it would stop collecting transport fees from April and any advance payments will be adjusted against months. This helps around 9,500 students across its campuses.
JSS Group of Schools already waived transport fees for March 2024 saying they want to support parents and ensure access to education.
These measures help families. School operators know it is financially tough. Many still have to pay for bus fleets, staff salaries and maintenance with reduced usage.
However institutions say their priority is supporting their communities during the shift, to distance learning.
The transport fee waivers show UAE schools are trying to support parents like they did during disruptions. As the situation changes schools will review policies and transport fees will start again when in-person learning restarts.
For now this helps thousands of families with the challenges of education.
