The UAE has adopted a new student attendance policy for the academic year 2025-2026, the Ministry of Education stated on Monday, September 1. According to the new criteria, a warning mechanism will be activated one day following an unexcused absence. After 15 days, the student's file and that of the guardian will be referred to the appropriate authorities and external child protection bodies.
If the student's unexcused absences surpass 15 days by the conclusion of the school year, he or she may be obliged to retake the full academic year. Parents have the opportunity to initiate an appeal within five working days after receiving notification.
Other parts of the new policy include promptly informing parents of their child's absence from school.
Furthermore, the new method counts a student's absence as two days if it occurs on a Friday or on the days preceding or following an official holiday.
Meanwhile, the maximum number of unexcused absences is five days per term and fifteen days per academic year.
The new plan emphasizes the value of school attendance for academic success.
