Dubai schools will be allowed to adjust start and finish times to reduce traffic congestion, but changes must receive prior KHDA approval, prioritise student well-being and take parents’ feedback into account.
DUBAI: Private schools in Dubai will be given greater flexibility to change their daily timings as authorities look for ways to ease school-run congestion and improve commuting times for students, parents and staff.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) said schools may introduce different start and finish times, including staggered schedules, but cannot make such changes independently. Any revised timetable must first be approved by the regulator.
Student well-being must come first
KHDA Director General Aisha Miran said the authority does not plan to impose one uniform timetable across Dubai because schools follow different curricula and have varying requirements for extracurricular activities and other services.
However, schools seeking changes will have to demonstrate that their proposals take student well-being into account and reflect feedback from parents.
Miran said KHDA has previously intervened when timetable changes led to complaints from families, requiring schools to reconsider their arrangements.
Staggered timings could ease school traffic
Several Dubai schools have already experimented with staggered arrival and departure times to spread traffic over a wider period rather than concentrating vehicles around campuses at the same time.
KHDA believes flexible schedules could help ease daily congestion, although changing school hours alone will not solve Dubai’s wider commuting challenges.
Schools closer to communities
The longer-term strategy is linked to the Dubai Education Masterplan E33, which aims to ensure families have suitable schools closer to where they live.
Authorities want more children to eventually be able to walk, cycle or use safe scooters to reach school, while those travelling by car or school bus should have reasonable journey times.
Dubai’s private-school population has reached about 406,500 students, rising 4.6 per cent since June, adding further pressure to morning and afternoon school traffic.
Impact to expect
Parents may see more varied school start and finish times across Dubai, particularly in congested areas, but schools will need KHDA approval before introducing any new schedule.
