Dubai schools allowed to change start and finish times to ease traffic congestion
Dubai schools can change their start and finish times to ease traffic congestion, but must first obtain approval from the education regulator. They must show that any changes support the well-being of pupils and are backed by parents, said the Knowledge and Human Development Authority. Director general Aisha Miran said schools could seek flexibility and did not need to follow a single timetable…
Dubai's education regulator, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), has announced that schools in the emirate may adjust their start and end times to help manage traffic congestion. However, before making any changes, schools must seek approval from KHDA and demonstrate that the modifications support student well-being and have parental support.
Director general Aisha Miran clarified that schools are not required to adhere to a single, uniform timetable across the city. She stressed that different educational curricula and extracurricular activities (ECAs) may necessitate varying schedules. When contemplating changes to school hours, KHDA explicitly advises considering the impact on student well-being.
Some schools in Dubai have already implemented staggered start times in an effort to distribute traffic more evenly around the typical school commute period. Miran emphasized that while adjusting school hours can improve daily journeys, it alone cannot address the wider commuting challenges faced by the emirate. She suggested that long-term solutions involve better urban planning and the strategic positioning of schools relative to where children reside.
The Dubai Education Masterplan, referred to as E33, aims to bring schools closer to the locations where children live. This would make it simpler for students to walk, cycle, or ride a scooter to school, thus reducing vehicular traffic. Miran expressed a preference for children to travel to school by walking, biking, or using a scooter rather than relying on electric scooters.
In terms of transportation, Miran stated that while families who continue to use cars or school buses should strive for reasonable journey times, those opting for private vehicles or buses should expect a commute that is acceptable. She reiterated that this approach is part of the broader Dubai urban plan, which aims for all destinations to be reachable within 20 minutes.
Schools' proximity to communities should align with this goal, ensuring that educational options are more readily accessible. At the time of her remarks, the number of pupils in Dubai private schools had risen to approximately 406,500, marking a 4.6% increase since June.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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