Parents rushing to drop off or pick up their children at schools this term face hefty fines if they flout new traffic rules.

• Stopping in the middle of the road without reason: Dh1,000 + 6 black points
• Failing to stop for the school bus “Stop” sign: Dh1,000 + 10 black points
• Blocking other vehicles: Dh500
• Ignoring pedestrians at crossings: Dh500
• Reckless driving near schools: Dh400 + 4 black points

Police said random parking remains the most common offence around schools, especially in the afternoons when parents double-park or block moving traffic. Officers warned that such habits cause chaos and put children at risk.

Motorists were urged to use designated parking spaces, even if it means a short walk, or wait at a side area until a legal spot opens up. Leaving vehicles running, or worse, leaving children inside unattended, is strictly prohibited.

Extra patrols & inspections
As part of a new academic year safety plan, Abu Dhabi Police will intensify patrols around schools, monitor bus movements, and keep a close eye on pedestrian crossings to ensure children’s safety.

Authorities also reminded parents that children under 10 cannot sit in the front seat, and drivers must come to a complete stop when school buses extend their side “Stop” sign.

Civil Defence joins campaign
Adding to the push, the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority has launched its “Our Students, Our Future” campaign to promote a culture of safety and prevention across schools and buses.

Officials say the message is clear: breaking traffic rules near schools this year won’t just cost you money, it could cost lives.

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.

Parents working in UAE federal ministries and entities will be granted reduced work hours on Monday, August 25, to help with school drop-offs and pick-ups as children return to classrooms for the new academic year.

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) confirmed that government employees may adjust their start or finish times by up to three hours on the first day of school, provided approval is obtained from their direct manager.

Extra flexibility for younger children

Parents with children in nurseries and kindergartens will benefit from additional support. They will be permitted to take flexible hours of up to three hours every day during the first week of school, helping families ease into new routines.

FAHR said the flexibility can be used either as a late arrival, early departure, or divided into separate periods across the day, depending on the parents’ needs.

School events covered too

Beyond the first week, government employees will also be entitled to leave work for up to three hours at a time to attend parent-teacher meetings, graduation ceremonies, or other school-related events throughout the academic year.

The authority added that employers should also take into account differing school start dates depending on curriculum, ensuring parents across all education systems in the UAE can benefit from the policy.

Striking a balance

The initiative forms part of FAHR’s annual Back-to-School policy, designed to support working parents while maintaining productivity across the federal government. The authority emphasised that the flexible work arrangements are intended to create a family-friendly environment “without affecting employee output.”

The rules apply specifically to federal government employees and do not extend to the private sector at this time.

A supportive start

Each year, the return to school is a major milestone for families across the country, particularly for parents balancing professional and family commitments. The policy is intended to ease stress for working parents and ensure children are accompanied safely on the first day of classes.

Schoolchildren across the UAE will officially return to classrooms on Monday, August 25, 2025, marking the start of the new academic year.