Dubai: A private education provider will outsource its school bus services for nine of its schools beginning June 1 as part of cost cutting measures.
Global Education Management Systems (GEMS) which operates 26 schools across the country catering to the American, Indian and the National Curriculum of England has decided to outsource school bus services in Dubai to an external provider.
The schools are Kindergarten Starters, Millennium, Our Own Indian School, Our Own English School, Our Own English High School, Modern High School, Westminster School, Winchester School the Cambridge School.
GEMS said it had no option but to take this step to counter rising costs.
"As of now it will only affect a few schools in Dubai," said Monica Harter, Corporate and Communications Director at GEMS.
"But I would like to assure all parents who opt to avail themselves of the bus service that if we have selected a provider our core criteria will be the safety of our pupils," she said.
Our Own High School issued a circular to parents saying: "In the absence of approval from regulatory authorities we have been unable to increase the transport fees to realistically reflect the true operating cost. Fuel costs alone have risen over 300 per cent over the past four years. Our bus service has been provided for as low as Dh1,300 per annum comparative to external providers which range from Dh5,000-Dh8,000." GEMS said pupils who have paid transport fees in advance will have the amount adjusted against school fees.
Parents said they would want the management to make certain things clear such as the new transport fees and who will take responsibility for the pupils in the buses.
Roshni, whose son attends grade nine in Modern High School, said that her main concern was whether the school will wash its hands off the safety of their pupils on school buses.
GEMS school: Power of numbers
Total number of schools in Dubai - 17
Total number of school buses in Dubai - 625
Range of school bus fees per annum - Dh720 to Dh1,620
If all schools outsource bus services they will hit - 34,000 pupils
By Sunita Menon, Staff Reporter