New Absence Rules for UAE Schools

Stricter Rules for Student Absences - New Guidelines for the 2025-2026 School Year

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education has introduced new guidelines for student attendance starting from the 2025-2026 school year. The goal of the new regulations is to increase school attendance, strengthen parental involvement, and support students' academic performance. The tightening of measures is not only aimed at reducing the number of unexcused absences but also prioritizes child protection considerations.

Why is the new regulation important?

The background to the new regulations is that regular school attendance is a key factor in students' academic progress, social development, and overall well-being. Experience has shown that the frequency of unexcused absences negatively affects students' performance and future opportunities in the long term. Therefore, the new system responds to unexcused absences from the very first instance, attempting to prevent more extensive truancy with warnings and progressively harsher consequences.

Details of the new warning system

Starting from the 2025-2026 school year, a warning mechanism is immediately activated after every unexcused absence. Parents receive an official notification after just one unexcused day. If absences reach a threshold of 15 days during the given school year, the Ministry of Education refers the student's case to the relevant authorities and child protection organizations.

The regulations do not stop there: if a student's unexcused absences exceed 15 days by the end of the school year, school authorities may recommend grade repetition, meaning the student cannot advance to the next grade. This decision cannot be applied arbitrarily: parents have five working days to file an appeal upon receiving the official notification.

Absences near Fridays and holidays count double

In contrast to previous practice, the new system includes a key modification: if a student is absent on Friday, or if the absence falls immediately before or after a holiday, it counts as a two-day unexcused absence. This regulation is likely aimed at parents who would take their children out of school for weekend trips or longer family breaks.

Maximum permitted absences within guidelines

The regulations include specific numbers:

Up to 5 days of unexcused absence are allowed per semester.

A maximum of 15 days for the entire school year.

Absences beyond 5 days will always result in warnings and parental notifications.

The system's goal is clear: to minimize school absences, engage parents more consciously, and protect students.

Role and duties of schools

Under the new directive, schools have the obligation to immediately notify parents if their child does not appear in class. With the help of digital attendance systems and school applications, this can occur in real time. This is also particularly important from a safety perspective, as quickly locating a missing or endangered child can be life-saving.

Moreover, schools must maintain detailed documentation of absences, including their legitimacy and related parental communication. This transparency is also crucial for legal compliance.

New system for exams and assessments

For the new school year, the Ministry of Education has also introduced further changes. Centralized exams will now be held only in the first and third semesters, while schools can organize summative assessments within their own authority during the second semester. This can provide a more flexible learning environment and create opportunities for schools to tailor assessment methods to meet their students' individual needs.

Why is this beneficial for parents and students?

The tightening is not to be perceived as a punishment but as a preventive tool. The aim is not to exclude students from education but rather to draw attention at the earliest signs if a child might be at risk, or if there are deeper issues behind the absences.

For parents, this also means that they bear more responsibility in ensuring their children's school attendance, although through a more transparent and consistent system, they will know exactly what consequences each decision entails.

Summary

The UAE's new educational regulations mark a significant step towards strengthening school attendance and protecting children. The system comprehensively regulates the consequences of absences, provides a possibility for parental appeals, and sets clear frameworks for all stakeholders.

Through the cooperation of schools, parents, and authorities, the new guidelines aim not only to improve academic results but also to ensure the safety and well-being of students throughout the education system.

(Source of the article: Ministry of Education communication.)