The school run is about to look very different across the UAE.
As students prepare to return to classrooms on April 20, many parents are still figuring out one basic question: how to get their children to school. With school bus services temporarily suspended, families are being pushed to find quick alternatives, often overnight.
For some, it means rearranging work schedules. For others, it’s an added daily expense. And in many homes, it’s simply not practical at all.
Morning routines are disrupted across households
In communities stretching from Al Qudra to Sharjah, the usual rhythm of school mornings has been thrown off.
Parents who once relied on bus pick-ups are now dealing with early alarms, last-minute decisions, and constant back-and-forth with schools. For working families, especially, the change hasn’t been easy.
One Dubai-based parent living along the Al Qudra corridor explained how transport played a major role when choosing her child’s school. Without it, the plan quickly fell apart. What was meant to be a return to in-person learning has now turned into another stretch of online classes — at least for now.
It’s a situation many can relate to. In a city where distances can be long and traffic unpredictable, school buses are more than just convenience — they’re part of the system families depend on.
Schools offer flexibility, but decisions aren’t simple
To ease the pressure, authorities have allowed schools to offer flexible learning options. Parents can decide whether their children return to classrooms or continue online temporarily.
On paper, that sounds helpful. In reality, it’s not always a straightforward choice.
Younger children often need supervision at home, which isn’t ideal for working parents. On the other hand, sending them to school without a safe, reliable commute raises its own concerns.
For families with more than one child, things get even more complicated — especially when siblings attend different schools with different timings.
Public transport works for some, not all
In a few cases, older students are stepping in and adapting quickly. Teenagers are using public buses or the metro to get to school, especially in areas with good connectivity.
But that option doesn’t work for everyone.
Younger children, particularly those in early years, can’t commute alone. Parents are either keeping them home or trying to arrange drop-offs between work commitments.
Some families have started coordinating carpools within their buildings or neighbourhoods. It helps spread the responsibility, but it requires trust, timing, and flexibility — something not every household can manage.
Taxis become the backup plan — at a cost
For many, taxis have become the most realistic short-term solution.
In Abu Dhabi and Dubai, parents are calculating the daily cost and weighing it against fuel, parking, and time spent on the road. In some cases, it actually works out more practical, especially for those working fixed office hours.
One parent shared that sending her child to school by taxi would cost around Dh30 a day. It’s manageable for now, but over a full term, it adds up.
There’s also the question of safety. Younger children usually need an adult to accompany them, which means relying on a nanny or caregiver. It’s another layer of planning in an already busy routine.
Uncertainty around refunds adds pressure
While transport remains the main concern, there’s also growing confusion around school bus fees.
Many parents had already paid for the full year back in September. With services now paused, they’re waiting to hear whether refunds or adjustments will be made.
So far, transport providers are holding off on answers, saying they’re awaiting official direction.
For families already adjusting their budgets to cover taxis or other arrangements, this lack of clarity is frustrating. It’s not just about convenience anymore — it’s about managing rising everyday costs.
The return to classrooms on April 20 was expected to bring a sense of routine back to family life. Instead, it has come with a new set of challenges.
Across the UAE, parents are doing what they always do — adapting quickly and making it work. Whether that means keeping children at home a little longer, sharing school runs, or booking daily taxis, every family is finding its own solution.
For now, all eyes are on when school bus services will resume. Until then, the school run remains anything but routine.
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