Abu Dhabi: A committee formed by Abu Dhabi Educational Zone (ADEZ) began its investigation into the death of Aimen Zeshan on Sunday, a senior official told Gulf News.
The committee visited the Model School, Mussaffah yesterday to make inquiries, said Mohammad Salem Al Daheri, Director of ADEZ.
The committee also collected documents pertaining to the girl from the school, he said.
One of these documents was an undertaking signed by the parent saying he was taking responsibility for the transportation of his child, Al Daheri revealed.
Aimen, a four-and-a-half-year-old pupil, was found dead on Thursday afternoon on a private bus hours after she should have arrived at school.
Her death certificate cited heat and suffocation as the cause of death. The driver of the private bus allegedly forgot to drop Aimen at school and left her locked inside the vehicle in a parking area for at least three hours.
Al Daheri said the committee is investigating whether the school complied with safety and security rules, including its duty to inform the parents that their child was absent from class.
He made it clear that schools have to inform parents if their children do not show up. "Schools have to make a phone call or send a text message," Al Daheri said.
Reaction: Audits to take place
Schools in Abu Dhabi will shortly be audited to see if they are complying with comprehensive health and safety guidelines, Gulf News has learned.
The Abu Dhabi Education Council is developing a health and safety manual for all public and private schools across the emirate, a spokesperson said.
He said the manual would be ready by mid-June and periodic auditing would take place.
Aftermath: Funeral held
Aimen Zeshan's funeral was held in Karachi on Sunday morning, a close family friend told Gulf News.
"The body reached there in the early hours on Sunday and the funeral was held in the morning," said Imtiaz Ahmad, a colleague of Zayed Zeeshanuddin, the girl's father.
"The family members and relatives were waiting for the body as they had already been informed".
Your comments
It is very shocking news that I read in your daily today, I have children's going to school, It is really a worrying. Bus Drivers should be more careful. It is a part of his duty to make sure that nobody is remaining in his Bus before He Park it some where. (especially when he carries small children). When early morning Bus arrives near our residence we can see always kids sleeping inside. The Drivers are aware of these and how a Driver is so careless or lazy to make sure that the entire Children's have offloaded the Bus. Definitely without any doubt the School Bus Drivers are fully responsible for this; authorities should never spare these guys. If authorities are going to be lenient no doubt that we will hear this type of shocking news repeatedly. Before also we lost so many kids in U.A.E in similar incidents, like that of Atish, Aimen Zeeshan , and others even in their own cars due to negligence from the parents. I hope that definitely Gulf New can play a major role to bring forward this to concerned authorities. Our authorities already taking stringent measures for Traffic Violators similar to that they should do something immediately to curb this type of incidence in future. And further the School Authorities to take all measures to inform the Drivers or the Rent a Car firms to strictly check the Bus thoroughly before the Drivers leave the Bus. This will take for them only a mere 5 minutes. So I hope let the concerned people open their mind and eyes, and imagine how that poor kids suffers or struggle inside these Buses, for their life. I once again request the concerned authorities not to spare these careless Drivers.
Zulphee Esmail
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 26, 2009, 15:37
I am a mother of two small school going children. Imagine our mental condition when we read such sad news. In such cases, persons involved start blaming each other. I personally feel it is the primary duty of the driver
Prema Venkat
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 26, 2009, 15:36
The driver should count the children on the bus (in/out). There is also neglige4nce of the parents becoz, for almost 3 hours the child not come home yet the parents should be think "whereabout their daughter".
From A Reader
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 26, 2009, 15:36
The school management is responsible for this incident and in the bus conductor will be there to check every thing. what happen to the conductor that time his duty is to check everything in bus and he is the culprit and the school management that they are keeping such people.
From A Reader
Umm Al Quwain,UAE
Posted: May 26, 2009, 15:35
It should be made compulsory for the parent to be available at the bus stop to collect their children. The blame is often given to the drivers. Where as I think parents are equally responsible. Parents who are not present at the dedicate bus stop to receive their children below age of 10 should be fined also.
Faisal Makki
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 26, 2009, 15:34
I request media to constantly raise awareness and follow up on actions taken by schools and authorities to prevent such incidents. Only sustained follow up action will result in schools and authorities from taking proper action. Considering that any action taken by media could ultimately save precious lives, any effort would indeed be undoubtedly worth the time and effort involved
Rajesh Cherian
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 26, 2009, 15:33
School bus have the shedule and records for the kids how many kids are in the bus some one need in the bus to observe the kids not only driver. driver only drive the school bus . some one men / women to look the kids safety, few kids are sleepy few of them are not feeling well, few of them need water any emergency, it is very saftey for all the school buses.
Hussain
Ajman,IAE
Posted: May 26, 2009, 15:33
This is yet another example of how schools in the UAE are purely money making institutions who do not show any respect to the students or their families. There was a similar incident reported last year and we see the same repeated. This is a classic example of the school's negligence of its responsibilities and the regulations imposed by the Ministry of Education. Such incidents should have a zero tolerance level from the concerned authorities and all involved should pay a heavy penalty. Schools should have their own transportation facility.
Suni John
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 26, 2009, 15:32
We parents leave our kids in your hands with trust that you will pay enough attention and care for them. Carelessness in your duty, whatever it is never bring a life back. Informing parents of their child's absence every day is not a solution to stop such tragic incidents as a class teacher herself has so many responsibilities on her and each division occupies more than 25 students. I donâ??t think it is possible for a teacher to sit and call the parent of the absent child or children in the class time. The bus driver and conductor must check the bus every day before they leave the bus and those who are responsible for the crime should be punished. Two tragic incidents happened inside the bus. Such things can happen anywhere, in the bus, in the class room itself. To avoid such a situation, responsibility should be taken either by the bus driver or conductor as well as the class teacher. You can make up the loss of one thing with other but you cannot make up the loss of a child with another one especially in a mother's heart, the pain will always remain in their life.
Jisha Shuhaib
UAE,UAE
Posted: May 26, 2009, 15:31
We were shocked by the news of the death of Aimen Zeeshan. Finding a solution to this is highest in the minds of the civil society.
We wish to offer one such solution that is robust, reliable, practical
Lakshmi J. Nair
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 26, 2009, 15:27
Driver's / Conductor's Responsibility: To check the bus thoroughly, front to back, on
Charles Joseph
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 26, 2009, 15:24
Most of the time, people respond to incidents without knowing the truth. It is really sad that an innocent child's life is lost. Negligence on the part of the driver is evident because it was his duty to check the bus before locking it. If the bus was provided by the school, then the school authorities are accountable whereas if the parents entrusted it to a private bus driver, then they are to be blamed. It is easy to do blaming game but better leave it to the concerned departments to deal with it appropriately.
Raju Philip
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 26, 2009, 15:24
Even in dubai, the school doesnt have any system to check with the parents of children who is absent and even the parent can inform the school authority vice versa. The school should have a hotline facility so that the parents can inform the school authorities morning time itself.
Prema Rajendran
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 26, 2009, 15:23
Its a very sad news , Sorry to the parents. It is a blunder mistake and should be punishable.
Mrs Ziaullah
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 18, 2009, 19:14
This is indeed highly shocking but it comes as no surprise for the driver to be negligent. I will hold the school responsible to a greater extent as an incident of similar end happened before and they should have informed the parents about the absence of the child! The driver who was given the job should be well oriented by his company executives as to follow the security and safety procedures but what's done is done. A life lost cannot be brought back BUT following rules and strict procedures might actually save someone's LIFE ... I really hope and pray some action is taken and may that little angel rest in peace under Allah's blessings. Ameen...
Shahin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 18, 2009, 17:50
May Allah Almighty give them peace. Inshallah, they will be reunited after this life.
Wanda
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 18, 2009, 17:04
The driver should have been more careful and checked his bus before he locked it. It showed his negligence and must be sanctioned as well.
Marimar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 18, 2009, 16:57
The school should instruct all drivers to keep a head count of every student riding on their bus to avoid such incidents, or at least they should check their bus to see if everybody is dropped off at their school or homes.
Sherwin Mariano
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 18, 2009, 16:55
The driver should be punished in this case as it was totally his responsibility to check if all the children were dropped off at the school and no child was left behind as such incidents have already occurred in the past and need to be avoided. What was the hurry all about for the driver not checking the bus before locking it and leaving? Being a mother I can understand the pain her parents are going through, especially the mother. Taking care of your child for nine months in your womb is not a joke. Strict action needs to be taken against the school authorities if the message wasn't passed on to her parents. Had they informed the parents about her absence, it could have saved a life.
Aasmina Shaikh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 18, 2009, 16:34
Such case are really unbelivable
Mubarak
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 18, 2009, 15:40
This is why I am reluctant to send my son to school by bus...which poses a problem. How does he get to and from school when both parents are working, and the two local schools are full and won't accept anymore children?
Stephanie
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 18, 2009, 15:07
Oh my! How tragic!! This is surely the responsibility of the school and the driver who left this poor child in the bus! The school should be held accountable and there should be severe legal actionn taken. Had they bothered to call home as they should have maybe she would still be alive today! My heart goes out to her family! God keep them strong...
A Teacher
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 18, 2009, 15:05
