• Pupils at The Indian High School, the UAE's largest school, return to class after the summer holidays on Monday. Pawan Singh / The National
    Pupils at The Indian High School, the UAE's largest school, return to class after the summer holidays on Monday. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Pupils and staff will be required to wear masks indoors to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Masks are not required outside. Pawan Singh / The National
    Pupils and staff will be required to wear masks indoors to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Masks are not required outside. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Most of the country's pupils returned to school on Monday, while others are expected to start later in the week. Pawan Singh / The National
    Most of the country's pupils returned to school on Monday, while others are expected to start later in the week. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A flash mob made up of high school pupils dances at one school during a welcoming ceremony. Pawan Singh / The National
    A flash mob made up of high school pupils dances at one school during a welcoming ceremony. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Pupils attend the first assembly at The Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Pupils attend the first assembly at The Indian High School in Oud Metha, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Dubai British School pupils arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
  • Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
  • Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
  • Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
  • Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
  • Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils from Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi on their first day of classes after the summer break. Victor Besa / The National
  • Children arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Children arrive for the first day of school after the summer holidays at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Parents drop off their children at Dubai British School after the long summer break. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Parents drop off their children at Dubai British School after the long summer break. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Many pupils were up before 6am to catch the school bus. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Many pupils were up before 6am to catch the school bus. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Parents see off their children before classes begin on Monday. Victor Besa / The National
    Parents see off their children before classes begin on Monday. Victor Besa / The National
  • Pupils at Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi returned to school on Monday. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils at Al Mamoura Academy in Abu Dhabi returned to school on Monday. Victor Besa / The National
  • A young pupil greets a member of staff on the first day of school at Al Mamoura Academy. Victor Besa / The National
    A young pupil greets a member of staff on the first day of school at Al Mamoura Academy. Victor Besa / The National
  • Head teachers expressed their excitement at having children back on campus. Victor Besa / The National
    Head teachers expressed their excitement at having children back on campus. Victor Besa / The National
  • Children in class on the first day of school at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Children in class on the first day of school at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A child arrives at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A child arrives at Dubai British School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Kephren Sherry, head of primary at Citizens School Dubai, dressed up as superman while principal Tracy Moxley wore a Batman costume and director of learning Janice Butterworth put on a Ninja Turtle costume.
    Kephren Sherry, head of primary at Citizens School Dubai, dressed up as superman while principal Tracy Moxley wore a Batman costume and director of learning Janice Butterworth put on a Ninja Turtle costume.

UAE

Transport

Heavy traffic expected as pupils go back to school

Police appeal to drivers for a 'day without accidents'

Ali Al Shouk
Ali Al Shouk

August 29, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Busy roads are expected across the country on Monday as pupils return to school after the summer break.

Police urged drivers to be cautious around schools and school buses in particular, as more than one million pupils go back to classes.

Flexible working arrangements at many companies are expected to ease the morning rush, compared with previous years.

In Dubai, police urged drivers to help them record “a day without accidents”.

Motorists who sign an online pledge to take better care on the roads will be entered into a draw for valuable gifts if they keep their promise.

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New UAE schools opening this month: in pictures

  • Bloom Education is launching its first school in the UAE this year, Bloom World Academy in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Bloom Education is launching its first school in the UAE this year, Bloom World Academy in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The main atrium at Bloom World Academy in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The main atrium at Bloom World Academy in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Citizens School in Dubai says it will be the first in the Middle East to allow parents to pay school fees with cryptocurrencies. Photo: Citizens School
    Citizens School in Dubai says it will be the first in the Middle East to allow parents to pay school fees with cryptocurrencies. Photo: Citizens School
  • The school has a campus measuring 43,000 square metres and a large swimming pool. Photo: Citizens School
    The school has a campus measuring 43,000 square metres and a large swimming pool. Photo: Citizens School
  • Durham School in Dubai Investments Park will be able to cater to more than 1,700 pupils. Photo: Durham School
    Durham School in Dubai Investments Park will be able to cater to more than 1,700 pupils. Photo: Durham School
  • Mark Atkins, founding principal of Durham School. Photo: Durham School
    Mark Atkins, founding principal of Durham School. Photo: Durham School
  • Italian International School in Abu Dhabi will be the first Italian school to open in the emirate. Victor Besa / The National
    Italian International School in Abu Dhabi will be the first Italian school to open in the emirate. Victor Besa / The National
  • The school has a strong focus on nutrition and healthy meals will be prepared on site by a chef. Victor Besa / The National
    The school has a strong focus on nutrition and healthy meals will be prepared on site by a chef. Victor Besa / The National

______________________________________

“Dubai Police aim to have zero accidents on the roads with the start of the new school year,” said Brig Saif Al Mazroui, director of the traffic department at Dubai Police.

Congestion tends to be particularly heavy on Al Ittihad Road between Dubai and Sharjah, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road, which links central Dubai to its suburbs, and Hessa Street, where at least a dozen major schools are located.

Local roads around Jumeirah and Umm Seqiem, where many nurseries and primary schools are located, tend to be congested as well.

“It is important to stop when the stop signs are flagged and not to overtake the school buses. Such violations would result in penalties of Dh1,000 and black points as per traffic law,” said Brig Al Mazroui.

“Motorists should follow the speed limit, not using their phones while driving or being distracted with anything, as well as stay in their lanes. Bus drivers should follow safety and traffic regulations,” he said.

Butti Al Falasi, director of Dubai Police's Security Awareness Department, invited motorists to log on to Dubai Police's official website to sign the safety pledge.

“Motorists who sign the online pledge will be part of a draw to pick lucky drivers for gifts as well as an appreciation certificate issued by Dubai Police,” said Mr Al Falasi.

Traffic Safety tips

  • Watch out for extra traffic guidance and follow the directions of school staff, traffic guides or police
  • Drivers dropping or collecting children must not obstruct traffic
  • Park your vehicle safely, even if it's only a few steps away from the school
  • Do not park in non-dedicated areas or in the second lane
  • Parents dropping or collecting children should guide them and/or give them safety instructions to reach the school/your vehicle safely
  • If you have improvement proposals for your school, engage with the school administration to articulate those

Covid rules for schools returning this week: in pictures

  • Signs remind people to wear a mask at the Swiss International Scientific School, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Signs remind people to wear a mask at the Swiss International Scientific School, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Face masks must be worn in closed spaces and on buses for trips. Ruel Pableo /The National
    Face masks must be worn in closed spaces and on buses for trips. Ruel Pableo /The National
  • Private and public pupils returned to school on Monday, August 29. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Private and public pupils returned to school on Monday, August 29. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Schools are allowed some flexibility in their calendar, as long as they complete a certain number of days in the year. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Schools are allowed some flexibility in their calendar, as long as they complete a certain number of days in the year. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Covid-19 cleaning at Swiss International School in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak/ The National
    Covid-19 cleaning at Swiss International School in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak/ The National
  • Pupils at AlDanah School by ALDAR, one of the many charter schools in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Pupils at AlDanah School by ALDAR, one of the many charter schools in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Updated: August 29, 2022, 4:28 AM
DubaiDubai PoliceSchools