ABU DHABI — The Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has rolled out new transportation policies for schools, placing a stronger emphasis on student safety, discipline, and accountability.

Stricter rules on going home
Under the new policy, students under 15 years old are no longer allowed to leave or arrive at school without being accompanied by an adult. If a parent or guardian is not present at the drop-off point, the child will be taken back to school after the route is completed.

Older siblings aged 15 and above may collect younger siblings (Grade 1 and up), but only with a signed parental consent form acknowledging the elder sibling’s responsibility. Schools, however, will not be liable for incidents that occur in such arrangements.

Supervised bus rides
Every student’s safety during school bus travel is the school’s responsibility, even when third-party operators are used. Supervisors are now mandatory on buses carrying students under 11. Drivers and supervisors must hold permits from the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), and only female supervisors may be assigned unless the bus carries older male students exclusively.

Travel outside school buses
Students in Cycle 3 (Grades 9 to 12) may travel to school on their own using bicycles, scooters, or other non-school transport, but only if parents provide written consent. School supervision officially begins once students are on campus.

Bus rules and fees
School buses are strictly for student use only, except during field trips, which may use tourist buses if they meet safety standards, including seat belts, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits.

Bus fees remain regulated under ITC’s School Bus Fee Framework and require ADEK approval. Any exceptional increase must first go through ITC coordination.

Journey and traffic management
To minimize travel time, bus journeys may not exceed 60 minutes from first pick-up to final drop-off. Pick-ups and drop-offs are limited to designated points, and supervisors must confirm a guardian’s presence before releasing children under 11.

Schools are also required to have trained staff to manage peak-hour traffic, updated emergency plans, and proper parking areas for buses and staff vehicles.

Why it matters
ADEK stressed that the updated policies are designed to safeguard children, streamline transport operations, and establish clearer responsibilities for both schools and parents.