The Daily Commute to School

Transportation is an essential factor to consider when choosing a school in Dubai.

Growing up in small-town New Zealand in the 1990s, I had a few options. Most often, I walked. Our primary school was about 1.5 kilometres from home—a safe, suburban walk. As a five-year-old, I’d set off each morning with my big brother who was always frustrated that my little legs couldn’t keep up with his long strides. Except on those magical winter mornings when we’d race about cracking the ice on frozen puddles and leaving footprints in frost-covered grass. When I moved on to high school, the commute extended by another kilometre to the far side of town, but I’d enjoy chatting with friends I’d meet up with along the way. Of course it was only enjoyable when the weather was fine. There were plenty of walks home in winter darkness, glasses blurred with rain, hair blowing in the wind, desperately trying to keep the contents of my art folder or violin case dry.

I also went through a few bike-riding phases. We learnt road rules and cycle safety in primary school and they had a bike shed which offered our bicycles protection from the rain and any troublemakers. The journey was so much faster, especially the trip home which was all downhill. In high school it just wasn’t very fashionable to ride to school. I did a few times, but uniform skirts, helmet hair and bike vandals were enough to deter me.

Sometimes, if I was lucky, I’d get a ride to school, often carpooling with neighbours. This was a particular blessing on those many rainy days. By the time I graduated high school a number of my friends were driving their own cars to school. These were mostly the country kids who would otherwise be riding the bus to and from school. They were suddenly free to leave the farm of their own accord, and I’d enjoy hitching a ride home with them on weekdays, or to the beach on weekends.

Some Dubai schools, especially those located inside or near gated communities, pride themselves on the number of children who walk, bike, or scooter to school—emphasising health, sustainability, and community connection. But the majority of students travel to school by bus or car. And so schools are often positioned along major highways or arterial roads to be accessible to cars and busses arriving from across the city.

Early in the morning thousands of school buses zigzag across the city, they swarm through the residential communities and then zip off in every direction. At the same time, teachers—lanyards on, coffee in hand—head to their cars, hoping to beat the rush before the roads clog with families in cars and office workers. Once everyone arrives at school, a highly choreographed routine unfolds to ensure that hundreds or thousands of students safely disembark and make their way to class. For many schools, traffic and parking is a perenial issue, and even the city as a whole breathes a sigh of relief when school holidays come and traffic moves freely again.

When choosing a school in Dubai some families will look first to those closest to them, hoping for a short commute. Other families will be happy to travel across town, for their children to attend their preferred school. I’ve found newcomers to Dubai sometimes secure a school place first, and then ask which areas are popular with other families, so that playdates are easier to arrange. When speaking with families during our School Shortlist consultation I ask a lot of questions about the location of their home, work, and school. It’s also an important opportunity for parents to voice concern over travel times, supervision, safety etc. and how these might be addressed. I ask if they have a particular transport preference, and whether they’ve budgeted for this. Those new to Dubai might be surprised (as I was) at the number of families who have a driver for the school pick-up and drop off. Some families—especially those with multiple children—find hiring a driver to be more cost-effective than school buses. Speaking to a Navigate.Ed consultant can help you think through possible transport challenges and solutions that you might not have otherwise considered.

How did you get to school? How do your children get to school today?

We’d love to hear your stories.