Absences are calculated based on weights for students from the fourth to the twelfth grade in public schools

The Ministry of Education revealed the adoption of a digital weighting system for calculating absence, with the aim of unifying the follow-up mechanism and clarifying the impact of absence on the student’s academic path, where regular absence is recorded at a value of (1) and is counted as one day of absence, and includes all regular school days throughout the academic year without exception.

She explained that double absence is recorded at a value of (2) and is equivalent to two days of absence, and is applied in cases of absence on Friday, or absence for a day or two before or after official holidays, in addition to absence during the specified periods that precede the final exams, which are: from November 10 to 19 in the first semester, from March 2 to 13 in the second semester, and from June 15 to 23 in the third semester.

She stressed that regular attendance is a basic condition for fulfilling the requirements for success, as the guide set the ceiling for unjustified absence at only (15) days during the academic year, whether the absence is continuous or intermittent, and the student is classified as failing when this limit is exceeded, in accordance with the approved rules and regulations.

Essential condition

The Ministry said, through the procedural guide for managing the attendance and absence of students for the academic year 2025-2026, the details of which were reviewed by Emirates Today, that the provisions of this guide apply to all public public education schools in the various emirates of the country, and include students from the fourth grade until the twelfth grade, with all included groups required to adhere to the same controls and procedures stipulated.

Sequence of alerts and alarms

The Ministry has set a clear timeline for the measures taken in the event of unjustified absence, which begins with issuing a written warning after one day of absence, followed by a first warning at three days, then a second warning at six days accompanied by a referral to the Child Protection Unit, and a third warning at ten days. It also stipulates that a notification be given upon reaching fifteen days, followed by a notification that the maximum absence limit has been exceeded, with the student being classified as failing, in accordance with the approved regulations.

Acceptable excuses for absence

The Ministry has specified the approved excuses for justified absence, most notably illness according to an official medical certificate, medical appointments or treatments inside or outside the country, accompanying a first-degree relative for treatment outside the country for a period not exceeding one month that can be extended, in addition to representing the country in official and national forums, cases of death of first- or second-degree relatives, Hajj leave, and special reasons for a maximum of five days during the academic year, in addition to cases of collective absence resulting from emergency circumstances, such as weather conditions. severe cases, epidemics, or exceptional situations.

Electronic documentation of attendance and absence

Through the procedural guide, the Ministry obligated schools to document the attendance and absence of students electronically through the system approved by the Ministry, whether at the level of the class or the school day, notifying the guardian immediately in the event of absence or tardiness, and recording all approved data and justifications within the student’s official file.

Exceptional cases and long absences

The procedural guide established an organized framework for dealing with exceptional cases and extended absences, such as chronic diseases or special family circumstances, where the school prepares an integrated file for each case, which is presented to the school committee for study, and then approved by the district director, before submitting it to the competent committee in the school operations sector to take the final decision. In all cases, the school is committed to activating distance education, providing academic content, organizing appropriate assessments, in addition to preparing an individual support plan that ensures the continuity of student learning.

Comprehensive support plan

The Ministry obligated schools to prepare comprehensive support plans from the beginning of the academic year, based on analyzing previous attendance records, classifying students at risk of absence, with the involvement of psychologists and social workers, and enhancing continuous communication with parents. The plans also include implementing targeted motivational and guidance programs, whose effectiveness will be evaluated within a period not exceeding one month.

Clear distribution of roles and responsibilities

The procedural guide detailed the roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders, including the school administration and principal, teachers, data entry officials, academic and social counselors, and district managers, in addition to the relevant ministry sectors, most notably school operations, curricula and evaluation, digital transformation, oversight and licensing, ensuring the integration of roles, data accuracy, and full compliance with the approved procedures.

Oversight and compliance

The guide explained the mechanisms for field monitoring and auditing of attendance and absence records, and specified the powers of the compliance teams, and the Ministry’s right to take appropriate penalties in the event of non-compliance, with an emphasis on the protection and confidentiality of data, and the application of the highest standards of digital governance.

Dealing with guardian rejection

The procedural guide confirmed that cases suspected of neglect, abuse, or repeated absence are referred to the child protection unit, in accordance with the provisions of the “Wadima” law, documenting cases of the guardian’s refusal to cooperate, and taking the necessary educational and legal measures to ensure the protection of the student.

Right of grievance

The guide guarantees the guardian the right to appeal within a period not exceeding five working days from the date of his notification of the absence registration, provided that the request is considered within three working days. It also made it possible to escalate the grievance to the school operations sector in the event of not accepting the issued decision.