UAE schools activate ‘fog timing’: Seven rules parents and students need to follow

Dubai: Government and private school administrations have activated ‘fog timing’ and circulated seven procedures to families and students that would regulate bus traffic and deal flexibly with delays, ensure continued communication with the school, and adapt procedures according to weather developments. These measures place student safety at the forefront of priorities and define the role of families in following up on developments and adhering to school directives. School principals said that school administrations are dealing with fog with field flexibility that balances the regularity of studies and the safety of students, and takes into account the varying levels of visibility, the delay of buses, and the possibility of some teachers being affected. Therefore, school administrations have begun activating ‘fog timing’ as a proactive step to deal with the winter season. The activation of fog timing comes in preparation for any weather changes, as schools identified seven procedures that achieve flexibility in school hours, regulate school transport, and ensure the safety of students. The precautionary measures were based on seven pillars, including: Students who use buses should stay inside their homes and not go out to wait for them on the road until visibility improves. Buses should be stopped at their stations when fog intensifies, as transport companies prevent their movement as long as driving conditions are unsafe. Resuming trips as soon as weather conditions improve, taking into account the different bus routes and distances between homes and schools. Families should be alerted that it is impossible to determine an exact time for the arrival of buses during fog, due to the difficulty in predicting when it will clear up and the varying travel times. Parents must follow up on transportation updates through bus supervisors or drivers and school channels, without contacting the driver or pressuring him while driving, in order to preserve his focus and the safety of students and road users. The absence of students who arrive in private vehicles early during fog, given the possibility of some teachers' arrival being affected and the resulting lack of supervision before the start of the school day. The seventh procedure addresses the impact of bus delays and weather conditions on classes and absences, through requesting permission or amending absence records according to established procedures. Schools have made it possible to submit requests through approved platforms. Embracing flexibility for safer transport Salem Al-Nuaimi, director of the private charity school Samnan, said that the fog forces schools to manage their school day flexibly. Picture credit: Supplied Salem Al-Nuaimi, director of the private charity school Samnan, said that the fog forces schools to manage their school day flexibly, and to monitor weather developments and bus traffic before taking any action related to the arrival of students. He explained that the safety of students must remain the basis of school decisions, noting that the success of precautionary measures depends on the cooperation of families and their commitment to the guidelines and following up on the updates issued by the school. Khaled Abdul Hamid, the director of the Modern Education School (Ministerial Section), stressed that clear communication channels reduce the confusion of families when buses are delayed, and help them to know the latest developments related to their children’s route. He called on parents to inquire through transportation supervisors and approved channels, while avoiding contacting the driver while driving, noting that his focus on the road is necessary to protect students and all other road users. Educator Nasser Al-Yasi stressed the need for families who transport their children in private vehicles to ensure that school supervision is available and that students are not dropped off before the school is ready to receive them. Educator Nasser Al-Yasi stressed the need to ensure that school supervision is available and that students are not dropped off before the school is ready to receive them. Picture credit: Supplied He stressed the importance of keeping children in a safe place until they go to school, to prevent them from waiting in squares or near roads in conditions where visibility is reduced. For her part, Khuloud Fahmy, principal of Al-Dhiyaa School, emphasised that bus delays due to fog are an emergency situation imposed by safety considerations, requiring families to deal with it calmly and with understanding. She noted that following school announcements helps parents stay informed and allows the school to address any changes to student attendance or classes according to established procedures, preventing delays from becoming a source of anxiety or confusion for families. School administrations confirmed that the fog timing measures are not limited to changing attendance times, but also include flexible management of school tr