The UAE’s Ministry of Education has unveiled a new framework for student attendance in public schools, effective from the 2025–26 academic year. The initiative is designed to crack down on truancy, strengthen academic discipline, and increase parental responsibility.
Immediate warning: One unexcused absence triggers a written warning.
Escalation process:
1 day: Written warning issued.
3 days: First formal notice sent.
6 days: Second notice issued and referred to child protection units.
10 days: Third warning with additional referrals.
15 days: File escalated to ministry and external child protection bodies.
Holiday-related absences: Missing school on a Friday, or before/after an official holiday, is counted as two days.
Maximum limit: Students may not exceed five unexcused absences per term or 15 per year. Crossing this limit could result in repeating the academic year. Parents may appeal within five working days.
The ministry will roll out an instant notification system, alerting families the moment a student is absent. Parents are expected to keep their contact details updated and provide official excuses for legitimate absences, such as:
Medical conditions or treatment-related travel
Participation in national/international events
Family emergencies
Death of a close relative
To prevent chronic absenteeism, schools will create individual support plans for at-risk students. These may include counseling sessions, close parent–teacher communication, and motivational programs.
Research cited by the ministry shows:
Missing 10% of the school year can lower achievement by half a grade level.
Missing 20% can push students back by a full academic year.
Consistent absenteeism disrupts not only individual learning but also the classroom environment as a whole.