30 years behind the wheel: UAE school bus driver recollects back-to-school days in early 90s

30 years behind the wheel: UAE school bus driver recollects back-to-school days in early 90s

Alaa Eldin Aly Hassan, a school bus driver has transported countless students to schools in Dubai and Sharjah for the last three decades.

He has not only safely transported generations of students but has also become an integral part of their lives. “The first day of back to school, students’ bus journeys began with children sharing their holiday experiences, bonding as they meet after the two-month gap, and distributing toffees and juices. But now students are aware of their friend’s whereabouts through social media and mobile phones. I see far less excitement to share their holiday adventures,” said Hassan.

“The first week of back-to-school for students had them excited in those days, and they would wait for school to reopen. Children were bored during summer vacation as there were no gadgets and the only time they had outings was during the availability of parents, unlike now,” said Hassan.

Arriving in UAE

With an airfare of 500 Egyptian pounds, which was nearly Dh60 back then, Hassan arrived in the UAE on the 8th of October, 1986.

Like many newcomers, he embarked on a series of odd jobs and worked as a typewriter, a role in which he worked for a year. “I had just completed my