No private schools in school zones

Al Ain school students UAE – Arabstoday Education authorities imposed a ban on setting up of new schools in Al Ain’s Private Schools’ Zone, saying traffic congestions is already a problem and any more vehicles will worsen the situation. Schools in the area will also not be allowed to expand their existing capacities to accommodate more students. Some 33 private schools have been operating in the area, located on Khalid Bin Sultan Road, Al Ain, UAE with around 32,000 students. The measure will, however, not affect the schools’ development projects to enhance recreational and educational facilities for the existing capacities, said Engineer Dallair Abdul Kareem, traffic planning adviser to Al Ain Municipality. “The municipality decided to seek help on a staggered timing plan for schools,” he said. An engineering project, he said, has been will begin in 2013 and cooperation of all schools and stakeholders is necessary. He said all schools should work on developing appropriate staggered timings with respect to their neighbouring schools in order to reduce traffic congestion in their vicinity. The staggered timing plan was introduced in April this year on a pilot basis covering 18 major schools in the area. Under the plan, eight schools start at 7.30am, nine at 8am and two at 8.15am. They also finish classes at 1pm, 1.30pm and 1.45pm. Al Ain Municipality has been collecting weekly reports about the system from traffic police and schools’ administrations. In January 2010, Al Ain Municipality announced a plan to alleviate the growing traffic problem. The municipality also sought help in 2007 from the Roadway, Transportation and Traffic Safety Research Centre from UAE University.