New UAE school attendance rules: Stricter monitoring and penalties

Dubai: The UAE’s Ministry of Education has announced sweeping new attendance regulations for the 2025–26 academic year, aimed at curbing truancy and reinforcing academic discipline. The revised rules introduce stricter monitoring of student absences and a greater role for parents in ensuring compliance.

Warnings and escalation for absences

Under the new rules, which apply to public schools:

• A written warning will be issued after just one day of unexcused absence.

• Students accumulating 15 unexcused absences in a school year will have their file referred, along with their guardian, to relevant authorities and child protection entities.

• Absences on Fridays, or immediately before or after official holidays, will count as two days.

• The maximum allowed is five unexcused days per term and 15 per year. Students exceeding this limit risk repeating the academic year. Parents can appeal within five working days of notification.

Instant notifications and parental role

To improve transparency, the ministry will launch an instant notification system that alerts parents whenever their child misses school. Families are urged to keep their contact details updated.

Schools will also create individual support plans for students at risk of repeated absences, including counseling, regular communication with parents, and motivational programs.

Impact of absenteeism on learning

The ministry cited studies showing that missing 10% of school days can reduce achievement levels by half a school year, while 20% absences can set a student back by a full year. Chronic absenteeism disrupts classroom flow, negatively affecting both the learning environment and peers.

Step-by-step escalation procedure

• 1 day: Written warning issued

• 3 days: First formal notice sent

• 6 days: Second notice issued and case referred to child protection units

• 10 days: Third warning issued with further referral

• 15 days: File escalated to ministry departments and external child protection agencies

Exemptions and valid reasons for absence

The ministry emphasized the central role of parents in submitting official excuses. Valid absences include:

• Illness or medical travel

• Participation in national or international events

• Family emergencies

• Death of a close relative