Schools return April 20, but no buses yet - What UAE parents need to know
With in-person learning confirmed to resume on Monday April 20, many UAE families have spent the days since the announcement navigating an added complication — school buses will not be running when campuses reopen.
Why buses are not yet running
The Ministry of Education confirmed that while schools have completed the necessary facility readiness checks, staff training, and safety preparations required for the return, school transport services need additional time. The delay is due to the requirement for further operational coordination with relevant authorities, including transport bodies and municipalities, to ensure that bus services meet the required safety standards before resuming. The suspension applies to all public and private nurseries, kindergartens and schools across the UAE, and will be reviewed on a weekly basis. Updates will be communicated through the Ministry's official channels.
On attendance, the Ministry confirmed that schools will address transport-related challenges with flexibility on a case-by-case basis, taking into account individual family circumstances while ensuring the orderly functioning of the educational process. On fees, no transport charges apply in public schools, while arrangements for private schools will be handled by the relevant local education authorities in line with approved regulations.
How families are coping
The announcement has prompted a flurry of activity among parents, with families across the country making alternative arrangements at short notice.
In Dubai, parent Marina Paul decided to keep her eight-year-old son on distance learning for the time being. "We live along the Al Qudra corridor and school transport was a main deciding factor when picking a school," she said. "We are both working parents and have no option to drop or pick him up." After initially selecting in-person learning on her school's survey, she switched back to online once the bus suspension was announced, adding: "Hopefully school buses will resume in the next week or so."
Sharjah parent Waqar reached a similar decision for his youngest child. While his older children can use public transport independently, his five-year-old daughter cannot. "It is not feasible for me to drop her, so she will stay home and do online schooling until the bus services resume," he said.
In Abu Dhabi, parent Mariam — who recently started a new job — is considering arranging a taxi service for her six-year-old daughter instead. Having cancelled her bus application when schools moved online, she found herself having to start the process over again after Monday's announcement, only to then learn the buses would be delayed. "It is not practical for me to leave my office in the middle of the day," she said. "Also, with the rising fuel prices and parking costs, it is actually cheaper for me to get a taxi than pick her up in a car." She also noted a practical concern about continued online learning: "I don't want to continue online learning either because the extended screen time is impacting my daughter."
For some families, uncertainty around fee refunds adds another layer of stress. Parent Aisha, who paid her child's yearly bus fees in September, said she is still awaiting clarity. "If school reopens and there are no bus services, I may have to spend additional money to get my child to school. We are still awaiting more information to make alternative arrangements."
The Ministry has confirmed that all schools remain open and that campuses are safe, with full preparations complete. Families who cannot arrange alternative transport are encouraged to contact their school directly, as administrations have been instructed to work with parents individually to ensure continuity of learning during this transitional period.
Sources:
Khaleej Times — "UAE parents make alternative arrangements as school buses remain suspended" by Nasreen Abdulla (April 16, 2026). Read the full article.
Gulf News — "UAE Ministry of Education answers back-to-school questions before Monday" by Khitam Al Amir (April 16, 2026). Read the full article.
