The UAE Ministry of Education has introduced new limits on school bus journey times following concerns raised by parents that some students were spending more than two hours a day commuting.
The issue was discussed at the Federal National Council (FNC) on Tuesday, where member Naama Abdullah Al Sharhan highlighted cases of prolonged travel times, warning of the impact on students’ wellbeing and daily fatigue.
In response, Minister of Education Sarah Al Amiri announced that the maximum permitted bus journey has now been capped at 45 minutes for kindergarten students and 60 minutes for all other pupils. She said the ministry has no official records showing any bus route exceeding two hours.
Al Amiri stated that compliance with the approved time limits reached 98.5 per cent during the first term of the current academic year, marking a significant improvement compared to previous years. She added that average journey times have been cut by 50 per cent.
The minister acknowledged that limited exceptions may happen due to factors beyond the ministry’s control, such as traffic accidents or bad weather. She also noted that late student registration by parents can disrupt route planning and affect transport efficiency.
According to Al Amiri, the ministry regularly reviews bus routes and has set up a dedicated transport quality unit to monitor daily operations and handle complaints related to school transportation.
School transport has been a recurring topic in FNC discussions, as authorities work to improve service standards and ensure student welfare across the education system.
