Dubai’s growing traffic congestion has reignited discussions on staggered school timings, with school leaders warning that without corresponding workplace adjustments, the initiative may pose challenges for parents and families.

The debate comes amid a surge in vehicle numbers, with Dubai’s vehicle growth rate exceeding 8 per cent—far surpassing the global average of 2 per cent—leading to severe congestion, especially during school hours.

Balancing Education and Family Life

In response to mounting concerns, Bloom World Academy in Dubai has taken the lead in implementing a flexible school schedule with a 9am start time.

John Bell, Founding Principal of Bloom World Academy, emphasized that the later start is designed to enhance student well-being and improve learning outcomes.

“We’ve reimagined what a school day can look like. With our later start time of 9am, we’re not just supporting student well-being—we’re actively prioritizing it. Children learn best when they’re rested, happy, and feel heard, and that’s exactly what our personalized approach allows,” Bell stated.

He further noted that the change has provided families with more time in the mornings, allowing for shared breakfasts and calmer routines, which in turn positively impacts both students and teachers.

Constant Review of School Timings Necessary

Other school administrators agree that continuous assessment of school schedules is essential. Akram Tarik, Principal and CEO of GEMS Founders School – Al Mizhar, acknowledged the potential of staggered timings in alleviating congestion but warned that poor coordination could merely shift the problem to different times of the day.

“Staggered timings could be effective in reducing congestion, particularly during peak drop-off and pick-up times, but this would need to be carefully coordinated with nearby schools to avoid simply displacing the issue,” Tarik explained.

Collaboration among schools and businesses is crucial to making staggered schedules successful, according to Chitra Sharma, Principal of JSS Private School. “Without synchronized workplace flexibility, parents will struggle to adapt to the new school schedules, creating added stress and logistical issues,” she noted.

The Parents’ Perspective

Opinions among parents remain divided. Some, like Indian expat Arijit Nandi, see potential benefits. “A staggered system could ease congestion, reduce stress, and improve the morning routine for parents,” he said, noting that his school run takes at least 30 minutes due to heavy traffic.

However, others, like American expat Natalia Miranda, fear disruption to their schedules. “If school starts later, kids will wake up later, and the entire evening routine will need to shift. Co-curricular activities will be pushed later, affecting family time. It’s not just a morning change—it impacts everything,” she argued.

Miranda also pointed out that while some parents working European hours might find later start times beneficial, those with traditional work hours could struggle.

Existing Staggered Start Times in Some Schools

Some schools have already implemented staggered start times with positive results. Fatima Martin, Principal and CEO of GEMS New Millennium School – Al Khail, highlighted their successful coordination with neighboring schools.

“We have implemented staggered start times between our school and our two neighboring institutions, and I believe this has been beneficial,” she said, adding that school clusters should have the flexibility to set their own schedules rather than having uniform mandates.

Looking Ahead

With Dubai’s vehicle numbers continuing to rise, stakeholders agree that reviewing school timings is necessary. However, for staggered schedules to be effective, a broader city-wide approach—incorporating businesses and government policies—may be needed to ensure a seamless transition that benefits both parents and students.

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members