New absence guidelines issued for UAE public schools

The Ministry of Education has issued attendance guidelines for public schools for the new academic year, with absence alerts set up for the parent community.

A new system will notify parents about their child's "unexcused absence", with the maximum limit set at five days per term.

If the student exceeds the 15-day limit on "unexcused absence" by the end of the school year, then they may be required to repeat the entire academic year. The case will also be referred to the relevant departments and sectors within the Ministry, including external child protection agencies, to ensure appropriate intervention.

According to the guidelines, absence that doesn't include "illness, travel for medical treatment, participation in national and international events, emergency circumstances, or the death of a first- or second-degree relative" will be termed "unexcused". Students with special needs and chronic illness have been given special exemptions. 

"Unexcused absences" on Fridays and days preceding or following official holidays will account for two days of absence, the ministry added. 

Parents will be issued a "written alert after one day of absence without an excuse, followed by a first warning after three days, a second warning after six days and with the file referred to the Child Protection Unit" . A third warning will be issued after 10 days with the file being re-submitted to the Child Protection Unit.

Ministry of Education Approves New Attendance and Absence Guidelines for the 2025–2026 Academic Year pic.twitter.com/v2aCnJcdbF

— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) September 1, 2025

The new procedures come as part of its efforts to enhance school discipline and ensure student attendance, with the aim of raising achievement levels and instilling positive educational and behavioural values. 

Citing specialised educational studies, the ministry highlighted that students with absence of 10 per cent of school days recorded "decrease in the level of achievement that is equivalent to half an academic year", with the loss doubling to the equivalent of a full academic year if absence exceeds 20 per cent of school days.

Schools have also been mandated to develop individual support plans for students at risk of frequent absences, with psychological and educational support sessions, regular communication with parents and incentive programmes.

The ministry also granted parents the right to file a grievance within five working days from the date of notification of absence, ensuring transparency and fairness in the implementation of the policy.