Dubai crash victim: Illegal transport risks for kids
Teachers are advising parents to prioritize the safety of their children over cost savings and to steer clear of using unauthorized transportation services.
This alert comes after a recent event where a 7-year-old student from a school in Dubai died, and 11 others were hurt in a car accident on the Hatta-Lahbab road on Tuesday. The vehicle that transported the students after school was evidently a rental car.
According to Dr. Arogya Reddy, who is the Principal of Ambassador School Sharjah, school buses are strongly advised because of the competent staff they have on board. Furthermore, bus conductors help passengers get on and off the bus smoothly, ensuring operations run on time. Every bus staff member is certified by regulatory agencies like Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) and Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), with strict adherence to safety measures. The buses have 360-degree cameras installed for complete monitoring. Regulations are addressed in a comprehensive manner.
School administrators emphasized that a school bus provides a very safe and secure way of transporting children. It is efficiently structured, with stringent monitoring systems and required permits in place.
The individuals participating have received training, have been given permission, and are responsible for their actions, showing a strong sense of accountability.
Private drivers frequently do not have sufficient training or orientation. Certain drivers have a habit of cramming their vehicles with kids and speeding because they have to make several stops. He also noticed some drivers opting for off-road paths, which could pose potential dangers," he mentioned.
Educators emphasized that despite efforts to reduce transportation costs for parents, the overall expenses for school transportation remain slightly elevated due to inherent costs.
Schools aim to provide safe and inexpensive transportation
Reddy pointed out that parents who worry about the expense of school buses don't realize they only save a small amount by using unauthorized transportation. In reality, by doing the calculations, the monthly savings could amount to as little as Dh40 based on the school. Parents should understand that school transportation fees are authorized by regulatory agencies, which carefully evaluate the market before approving them for schools.
Parents only have the opportunity to save money during school vacations. Parents may still be required to pay for the entire month, even if the school only operates for two weeks in December, in order to cover staff costs. However, in the grand scheme of things, parents should focus on ensuring their children's safety rather than money," Reddy continued.
School administrators recognized that reducing the cost of school transportation is an important measure in guaranteeing that every student has access to secure and dependable transportation.
Lisa Johnson, Principal of the American Academy for Girls, previously stated that they are always seeking ways to ensure the safety and affordability of school transportation, in order to encourage more families to choose school buses and decrease the likelihood of parents resorting to unregulated services.
Parents have varying perspectives
John Carvalho would regularly allocate Dh800 each month for his son's transportation to school. The expatriate's 11-year-old had to endure more than ninety minutes on the school bus for a short 8km trip.
Feeling frustrated by the high cost and long travel time, Carvalho has opted for a private transportation service instead. He said he likes carpooling because we reside in Satwa and his son's school is in Al Quoz.
While a few parents gripe about lengthy travel times and expensive fees, others place a higher importance on their children's safety.
Arijit Nandi, who has an eight-year-old child, stated: "We share a car with a friend when going to school." Nonetheless, when heading back, due to our work schedules, my spouse and I opt for our child to take the school bus, amounting to approximately Dh3,000 per term and just over Dh9,000 per year.
On the flip side, Nandi's acquaintance has employed a chauffeur with his personal vehicle to collect her kids from school. Nandi explained that they decided to only use the school bus for pickup because they were concerned about the qualifications of third-party drivers who may only have a license but lack proper training in handling children.
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