4-year-old faints after being

'forgotten' on UAE school bus

Negligence on the part of a school in Sharjah created panic among the parents of a four-year-old
KG 1 student not once but twice, Khaleej Times has learnt. In the first instance, the boy fainted
after he was forgotten on a bus for over four hours, while in the second, school authorities could
not trace him for a long time after he sat in the wrong class.
(The problem happened more than once)

According to the boy's parents, their son took the wrong bus to go home last week. On not
finding their child at the usual bus drop-off spot, the parents contacted the school, who could not
trace the child either. The worried parents lodged a complaint with the Sharjah Police, which
assigned special officers to look for the child.
()

"The bus, which usually drops my son at the drop-off area, came without him. I talked to the
driver of the bus and immediately rushed to the school along with my wife, but we could not find
him. My wife started to panic, thinking the worst. While we were there, a bus arrived and parked
in the parking area. His mother entered the bus and found the boy unctuousness on a seat,"
Sahmeh, the father of the boy, told Khaleej Times. The boy reportedly suffered from dehydration
and exhaustion.
(How this problem affects the child and feeling or his parents)

Samheh said he went to the police station along with the school principal and withdrew the case
because he "didn't want to harm anyone associated with the incident". "But it involves a clear
case of negligence. I could not trace my child's whereabouts for many hours. It created fear and
anxiety for us."

Moza Al Shoumi, deputy director of the UAE Association for Child Protection, said the school
managements are responsible for ensuring the safety of the students. "Implementing the safety
and security standards include assigning a supervisor for every school bus. It seems the bus in
which the student was found did not have a supervisor." The second incident happened two days
later when the mother of the child approached the school to complete some administrative
formalities. The authorities informed her that her son was absent, but she insisted that she had
personally put the four-year-old on the school bus that morning. During the search, he was found
sitting in the wrong class."I decided to lodge an official complaint at the Sharjah Education
Council (SEC) to intervene to stop such serious instances of negligence, which affect the safety
of the students," said the father.
(The school is responsible of student’s safety and importance of school supervisor)

(Opinion of deputy director of the UAE Association for Child Protection)

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Dr Saeed Mussabah Al Kabbi, chairman of SEC, said the safety of students is its top priority.
"We are currently working on a comprehensive plan to develop and enhance the safety system in
private schools in the emirate," he said. Al Shoumi urged all schools to instal smart systems on
buses and be accountable. "Tough penalties will be slapped on those who do not follow the
procedures since it is related to the safety of children." Amna Al Shamsi, member of the board of
directors of the Ajman Society for Social Development, said these kind of incidents occur due to
lack of training for bus drivers and supervisors.

(How this problem might happen and how to avoid it)

"Some private schools assign rental offices with the task of transporting students. They are not
aware of the special laws and regulations associated with the school transport. Such incidents are
serious offences as they can even cause deaths," she said.

(It’s a dangerous problem which can cause deaths)

Bio and Questions:

Organization Transportation (School Buses)

Person Ahmed
Connection to School Bus Driver
Company:
Bio: Ahmed (51 years old) is a school bus driver living in Al Ain. He is a
father of 4 children. He picks up student two times a day (Morning &
Afternoon). He works in this job since 2003. I choose Ahmed to be
interview because he considers students safety is a top priority. Also, he
follows the laws and regulations.
Questions for Mr. Ahmed:

1. Have you ever forgot a student inside a school bus?

2. How Hard it is to be a responsible bus driver and following laws and regulation?

3. Why do you think a bus drivers might forget a student inside a school bus?

4. Do you love your job?

5. For how long you are going to stay in this job?

6. Why you choose this job?

7. Do you think it is safe for your children to go to school using bus?

8. What advice would you to school bus drivers who don’t follow laws and regulations?

9. Is it necessary to have a supervisor inside a school bus?

10. How dangerous is this problem on a student who is forgotten or trapped inside the
bus in our hot weather?