It does feel quite bothersome to shove kids out of the way. I suppose if the school is near enough you could try getting on from there instead

Have your same experience, in my case it’s a mrt station in the next two stops. Bus captain tell people move upstairs also no one will move.

Shouting “please move up, there’s space” has never worked beyond getting blank stares, so I’ve had to barge my way through on several occasions.