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A quality check on Abu Dhabi’s school bus drivers

Under the newly-launched initiative, drivers and supervisors are required to go through a five-stage process of training, testing, accreditation, licensing.

Abu Dhabi - School bus drivers and supervisors will soon be certified for complying with regulatory requirements and standards following a conformity scheme by the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC).

The scheme is aimed at enhancing the quality of school transportation services within the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Under the newly-launched initiative, drivers and supervisors are required to go through a five-stage process of training, testing, accreditation, licensing and continued monitoring.

The training component will enable drivers and supervisors to acquire the required skills to fulfil their job functions. These include conducting routine inspection of vehicles before and after daily trips, maintaining an adequate level of physical fitness to perform tasks required as drivers, appropriately using all machinery and tools available on the bus, demonstrating appropriate behaviour with children, communicating effectively with parents, wearing suitable attire and maintaining proper grooming and high personal hygiene.

Drivers will also be trained on how to act during emergencies or during urgent evacuation of the bus, follow safe driving rules in different weather conditions or traffic situations, choose right tracks and traffic diversions as required, and follow relevant rules to ensure the safe entry and exit of passengers. A Trustmark, issued by QCC and licence will be granted to persons that achieve certification upon the successful completion of formal testing in accredited centres.

While helping to distinguish between qualified and unqualified workers, the conformity scheme will enable trained drivers and supervisors to present evidence of meeting standards stipulated by Abu Dhabi’s qualifications framework. “The certification scheme for school bus drivers and supervisors is part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of school transport services and ensure the safety of our society at all times,” said Mohammed Helal Al Balooshi, Marketing and Communications director at QCC.

“We have currently certified a total of 416 drivers and supervisors out of a potential 456 applicants. We will continue to work with relevant entities to encourage school transportation companies to adopt these safety standards,” Al Balooshi added.

The initiative was developed in collaboration with School Transport, comprising members of the Department of Transport – Abu Dhabi (DoT), Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec), the General Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police (ADP) and the Child Protection Centre at the Ministry of Interior.

reporter@khaleejtimes.com