As more than a million students across the UAE prepare to return to classrooms on Monday, August 25, the country is rolling out wide-ranging measures to ensure a safe, smooth, and supportive start to the new academic year. From the recruitment of new teachers to volunteer-driven initiatives, traffic campaigns, and flexible working hours for parents, the back-to-school season is being marked with a spirit of preparation and community.
1,700 new teachers join GEMS schools
Education powerhouse GEMS Education has recruited more than 1,700 new teachers for the 2025–26 school year, drawn from a diverse range of countries. The announcement came during the group’s annual induction programme, GEMS Awareness Day.
Chairman and founder Sunny Varkey described the year ahead as a “turning point” in education, stressing that while technology and AI would continue to shape learning, “no machine or line of code could replace a teacher’s warmth and encouragement.”
GEMS revealed it receives more than 600,000 job applications annually for about 2,000 vacancies, adding that it maintains some of the highest staff retention rates in the sector.
Volunteers pack schoolbags for students in need
In Abu Dhabi, Dubai Cares, supported by Aldar Properties as exclusive sponsor, organised its annual Back to School volunteer initiative. Hundreds of volunteers, including 80 Aldar employees, packed thousands of schoolbags with essential supplies for students from low-income families across the UAE.
The bags will be distributed through partner schools and charities in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain. Abdullah Ahmed Al Shehhi, COO of Dubai Cares, said the initiative reflected the UAE’s spirit of unity in the Year of the Community.
RTA calls on bus operators to prioritise safety
In Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has urged all school bus operators to be fully prepared, ensuring the highest safety and comfort standards for students of all ages.
The RTA said its teams will carry out inspection campaigns to monitor compliance with safety procedures and school transport laws. Drivers are required to follow traffic rules, avoid blocking roads near schools, and prioritise smooth traffic flow.
- Training for drivers and supervisors is mandatory, covering safe handling of students, adherence to traffic laws, and professional conduct.
- Supervisors must escort children safely when boarding and disembarking buses.
- Health and safety protocols remain central to the authority’s back-to-school program.
The RTA commended operators’ efforts and highlighted continuous communication with parents to reassure them of their children’s daily commute.
Police step up safety and awareness campaigns
Abu Dhabi Police have finalised preparations for the new academic year, rolling out measures to enhance road safety and student protection. Their plan includes:
- Traffic patrols and school-zone monitoring at intersections and pedestrian crossings.
- Awareness programmes for students, parents, and teachers on drug abuse, cyberbullying, online safety, and positive citizenship.
- Lectures and training for school bus drivers and staff to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Accident-Free Day offers motorists black point relief
The Federal Traffic Council has launched its annual Accident-Free Day campaign on the first day of school. Drivers who avoid accidents and follow traffic rules on August 25 will have four black points cleared from their licences by mid-September. Authorities expect heavy congestion on the first day, making safe driving especially critical.
Flexible working hours for parents
To ease the transition, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) has instructed ministries and government entities to allow parents of schoolchildren up to three hours of flexible working time on August 25. This will help parents manage school drop-offs and pick-ups without work pressure.
Looking ahead
With new teachers in classrooms, volunteers rallying for underprivileged students, and authorities prioritising safety, the UAE’s back-to-school season underscores not only preparedness but also the country’s strong sense of community. As Sunny Varkey noted, the human element remains central, whether in the classroom, on the road, or in the collective effort to support children’s education.
