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Abu Dhabi: The case of a young boy found dead on a school bus hours after he should have arrived at school has prompted two software companies to develop systems to put parents' minds at rest.
One tracks the location of a bus and the other sends text alerts if their child has not arrived at school.
The companies told Gulf News the death of four-year-old Aatish Shabin last month in Abu Dhabi prompted them to develop security systems, the boy had been accidentally locked inside the bus.
The 'iMessenger,' software developed by an Abu Dhabi-based company will enable schools to send automatic SMS messages if a child does not show up at school.
The system can send pre-set texts to notify parents of an absence or even to send school notifications, said P. H. Abdul Aziz, manager of Invent Systems & Solutions in Abu Dhabi.
It works by using a simple database, and all school staff need to do is enter the parents' details into the system. Then if a pupil is marked absent when the register is taken, the software will find the mobile numbers and send an SMS automatically, he added.
Schools can create any number of message templates said Abdul Aziz. He said the system costs about Dh6,000.
The "school bus locator," a system developed by a Dubai-based company offers to track the location of a school bus, its speed and how it is being driven.
The school administration will have a network connection that will allow parents to log in to the locator's web-based software via the school's website, said Basel Al Salah, CEO of Sekurus International.
The parents can just insert the number of the school bus to get all the details, he said.
"In real-time parents will be able to see the location of the vehicle," he said. "Alternatively, parents can automatically receive an SMS message based on the anticipated arrival of the bus at a pre-determined destination such as home."
"There are many schools in the UAE which have shown an interest in getting our system for their school buses," he added. He did not quote the price of his product.
Schools told Gulf News they would consider installing such a system. "I will propose to the management that they install such a system," said the principal of a prominent Abu Dhabi kindergarten.
Parents are also excited about the new security system. "An SMS alert is better than making calls as parents may be busy at work", said Mohammad Mustafa Saidalavi, whose daughter is a kindergarten pupil.
Sending an SMS to both the father and mother will give them a secure feeling, he added.
Ministry: Inquiry completed
The Ministry of Education has completed its investigations into the death of a child who was locked inside a school bus for three hours.
The legal department of the ministry completed the investigations after receiving a report from Abu Dhabi Educational Zone (ADEZ), a senior official at the ministry told Gulf News.
"We have sent our conclusions to ADEZ which can take further action," said the official at the legal department who requested anonymity.
He declined to disclose the conclusion of the investigation.
Have your say
Do you welcome this move? Why? Do you think this will provide you with reassurance about your childrens whereabouts? Why? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form below to send your comments.
Your comments
I think this is one of the best news I have heard, as far as safety of children is concerned. This system must be implemented with immediate effect and compulsorily to all schools especially the kindergarten up to 5th or 6th grade. The messaging system is a MUST HAVE!
Feby
AbuDhabi,UAE
Posted: May 19, 2008, 14:30
Its very good system but the developer should include also a video that can allow parents to watch what is going on the bus, on which their kids are. specially kids between KGs and up to class 4 or 5 to avoid any other problems
Mahmoud
Abu dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 19, 2008, 12:57
The system should be implemented by law in all the schools, it must be put into action immediately.
Jhon
Concern,Philippines
Posted: May 19, 2008, 12:43
With regards to Marjorie's comments I wish to state that the public school that my daughter goes to, in Sydney always alerts me if she is not marked on the roll call. As a parent there is so much peace of mind. This system already exists in most schools in Sydney. It is wonderful that this system along with real time tracking of the bus is introduced in the UAE. Now with the click of a button parents can track their children's journey to school.
Jayshree
Sydney,Australia
Posted: May 19, 2008, 12:39
So at the cost of a kid's life, we are going to have better connectivity with our kids.
Let us hope this should work fine
Sundararajan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 19, 2008, 12:05
I appreciate the software which brings peace of mind to parents like me. The government has to take implement it in all emirates immediately.
Sanjay
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 19, 2008, 10:14
This would be a wise idea which would offer a tension-free wait until the child returns home. Why was this was not introduced earlier by the school authorities, rather than wait for such an incident?
Ravindran
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 19, 2008, 08:14
Well it took some adjustments to improve things after this little boy was locked inside the bus. I agree 100 per cent with this new system and I'm sure it will bring peace of mind to the rest of parents. I wish Australia will soon follow this new system and stay in touch with the child's progress during school hours. Rest assured I will definitely pass this on to some schools regarding this system in Sydney.
Marjorie
Aydney,Australia
Posted: May 19, 2008, 07:07
I have a boy, and i thought of never sending him in a school bus and to personally drop and pick him up.Now this is a very goos system which reduces the tension of parents. I really feel sorry for the child Aatish and i pray this should not happen to any child in the future.
Pravin
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 19, 2008, 01:15
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