UAE delays school bus operations amid return to classrooms
Transport suspension affects nurseries, kindergartens and schools nationwide during first phase
DUBAI – UAE schools will resume in-person classes on April 20, but school bus services remain suspended during a phased return subject to weekly review.DUBAI – Students across the UAE are set to return to in-person learning from Monday, April 20, marking a significant shift back to classrooms after an extended period of distance education.
However, school transport will not be available at the start of the reopening phase, requiring parents to make alternative arrangements for daily commutes.
The Ministry of Education has confirmed that bus services for all public and private nurseries, kindergartens and schools have been postponed during the initial stage of the return. The decision forms part of a broader phased approach aimed at ensuring operational readiness and safety compliance across transport systems.
Transport halt
The Ministry of Education stated that the suspension of school bus services will remain in place during the “current phase” as authorities continue coordination with transport operators and municipal bodies. This measure is intended to ensure that all safety requirements for student transport are fully met before services resume.
Officials added that updates regarding reinstatement will be communicated through official channels once confirmed.
Safety review
According to authorities, the return of school buses will be subject to weekly review depending on readiness assessments and coordination with relevant entities. The ministry highlighted that the phased approach allows time to finalise operational standards and ensure consistent safety measures across all school transport networks. No fixed date has been announced for the resumption of bus services at this stage.
How parents are planning
With buses unavailable, many parents across the country have begun making alternative travel arrangements. Some have opted for taxi services, while others have adjusted work schedules to manage school drop-offs and pick-ups. In certain cases, families have chosen to continue online learning temporarily to minimise disruption as schools transition back to physical classrooms.
Meanwhile, individual schools have been advised to provide flexibility on a case-by-case basis to support students and families during the transition period. This comes after more than a month of remote learning, which began on March 2 as a precautionary measure linked to regional security concerns amid the US-Israel-Iran conflict. The remote learning phase was extended in stages before the current return plan was announced following a ceasefire.
In a separate development affecting school environments, the UAE has introduced new nutrition guidelines banning sugary drinks and snacks in schools. Under the National Guide for Food and Beverages in the School Environment, institutions are required to provide food options aligned with students’ age and nutritional needs, further shaping the broader framework of school life as campuses reopen across the country.