A Sharjah family is shaken after their four-year-old daughter was mistakenly left behind on a school bus. The incident, which luckily did not result in serious harm to the child, has highlighted concerns about supervision and safety measures on school buses.
The young girl, who recently started KG1, routinely boarded the bus at 6:00 am. Her mother, aware that early mornings can lead to drowsiness in children, would inform the conductor about the possibility of her daughter falling asleep.
Fortunately, the child was discovered unharmed during the bus’s second trip, which transported older students. However, the incident has left the girl’s parents shaken and prompted them to withdraw her from the school.
The incident raises concerns about safety protocols on school buses, particularly for young children who may be more prone to falling asleep during commutes. The girl’s mother emphasized the importance of clear communication between parents and bus staff, especially when it comes to children who are new to the routine or have specific needs.
The girl’s usual routine involved waking up at 5:00 am to catch the 6:00 am bus for kindergarten. According to the mother, she had previously informed the bus conductor about the possibility of her daughter falling asleep due to the early schedule.
On the day of the incident, the conductor contacted the mother at 7:30 am to inform her that the girl had fallen asleep and missed her stop. Despite the mother’s request to bring the child home immediately, the conductor continued on the route.
The situation wasn’t rectified until the girl’s teacher, unaware of the incident, expressed concern about the student’s absence. By the time the parents reached the school at 8:15 am, their daughter had still not arrived.
Aftermath and Safety Measures
The shaken child reported hitting her head against a seat during the ordeal. Thankfully, she was found crying on the bus during the second trip and eventually returned to the school by 8:40 am.
The school staff reportedly downplayed the seriousness of the incident, dismissing it as the child simply dozing off. However, the parents were understandably distraught, especially considering recent tragedies involving children left unattended in vehicles.
The family has since withdrawn their daughter from the school and filed a complaint with the local Child and Family Protection department. They have also opted for online learning for the remainder of the year, expressing a lack of trust in the school’s ability to ensure their child’s safety.
