Okay, so kids have finally gotten back to school after 2 whole months and parents are collectively heaving a sigh of relief in the corner. Whether the little ones jumped in glee or (like my younger-self) low-key dreaded day 1 of the new year, they’re back within the familiar portals of their second home. So, with the academic year 2025-2026, rolls out a whole new bunch of policies and rules. And one of the new updates announced by the Ministry of Education (MOE) is all about nipping truancy at its bud for UAE students. Staying away from school for more than 15 days comes with grave consequences from this year! Wondering what exactly I mean by that? Let’s dissect the news right here!
Also read: Here’s Why Some UAE Schools Will Miss The 4-Week Winter Break
The New Students’ Attendance Policy For AY 2025-2026
Back when I was in school, I had once bunked 2 weeks of school for my uncle’s wedding. That ended up being the happiest vacation of my life, simply because it extended into a big, fat 2.5 month summer vacation. The only “punishment” then was borrowing my friends’ notebooks and frantically catching up with missed lessons. One of my kind-hearted friends even called me for three days in a row every evening just to dictate notes over the phone. But try taking 2 weeks off now and the story’s going to be completely different. According to the announcement made by the Ministry of Education (MOE), here’s what happens if students rack up unexcused absences:
- Parents would be sent a written warning on day 1 of absence
- In case the number of unexcused absences stands at 15 in a term, then the student file will be passed on to relevant authorities and child protection entities.
So, How Many Days Of Leave Are Students Allowed To Take?
Great question, I was sure you’d ask. Of course, there are a certain number of unexcused leaves that a student is allowed to take per term. With reference to the latest update, a student is permitted to take up to 5 unexcused leaves per term. When it comes to the entire academic year, a student can avail a maximum of 15 unexcused leaves per year. Anything beyond that invites serious hassle!
Long Weekend Leaves? Not That Easy Anymore
While you let all of that sink in, here’s another question that would cross your mind. What happens to those sneaky leaves that we take pre-weekend or right before/after public holidays? Brace yourselves, the news isn’t exactly great. So, starting this year, the absences on Fridays, or immediately before or after official holidays, will be counted as two days.
What Happens After 15 Unexcused Absences?
As I previously walked you through, the case will be escalated and relevant authorities will be on board for further discussion. Students exceeding the threshold run the risk of repeating the academic year. Having said that, parents do have an option of appealing within five working days of notification. Here’s the full timeline of what happens during day 1 and day 15 of absence:
- 1 day: Yup, you’d be issued a written warning
- 3 days: A formal notice would be sent
- 6 days: The second formal notice would be sent. Simultaneously, the student file would be referred to child protection units
- 10 days: Third warning with further referral
- 15 days: The final step is passing on the file to ministry departments and external child protection agencies
Are There Any Cases Of Exemptions For Students?
The Ministry of Education (MOE) has outlined four unique cases wherein exemptions can be applied. In the event any of the following, student will be granted exemption:
- Illness or medical travel
- Participation in national or international events
- Family emergencies
- Death of a close relative
The Link Between Absenteeism And Academic Regression
In recent times, tonnes of academic studies have analysed the relationship between number of days of absenteeism and its impact on performance. In one study it was found that missing 10% of school days led to academic regression. To be more precise, this is equivalent to reducing achievement levels by half a school year, while 20% of leaves can set a student back by a full year. Chronic absenteeism not just affects the student, it also disrupts the classroom flow and impacts peers.
What The New Rule Aims For
Essentially, the new rule is all about embracing academic discipline, fighting academic regression due to absenteeism and tightening monitoring of student absences. It also grants parents a greater role in ensuring compliance. To ensure transparency (and maybe a few heart palpitations for parents), the ministry is launching an instant notification system that pings you the moment your child misses school. Families are also reminded to keep their contact details updated, because let’s face it, no one wants the school calling your long-lost uncle in Kerala to report an absence.
Additionally (nope, it’s not over yet), schools are working to put together support plans for students at risk of turning truancy into a full-time hobby. Yes, counseling sessions, regular parent-teacher catch-ups, and motivational programs to keep kids in their seats.
With the new attendance policy, every day counts. This isn’t something that would make life harder for parents and kids (even though it may seem that way). In fact, it’s the opposite, at its core the policy is all about making sure that no child falls behind. At the end of the day, while rules may draw tighter boundaries, they’re in place to give students the best shot at success.
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