Dubai: School attendance in Dubai is under sharper scrutiny after the Ministry of Education (MoE) introduced new attendance and punctuality guidelines effective September 1. While schools continue to emphasize positive reinforcement over punishment, repeated absences could now carry serious academic consequences — including withheld promotions and even withdrawal of a student.
New MoE Guidelines on Absences
According to the updated MoE policy:
- One unexcused absence triggers a warning.
- 15 days of unexcused absences lead to referral of both student and guardian to child protection authorities.
- Exceeding 15 unexcused absences by year-end may force the student to repeat the grade.
Parents are given five working days to appeal once notified. Authorized absences — such as illness supported by a doctor’s note or family bereavement — are acceptable, while travel, shopping, or extended holidays are classified as unauthorized.
Students absent for 20 consecutive days or 25 non-consecutive days may risk losing their school place unless proper documentation is provided.
KHDA Attendance Ratings in Schools
Most private schools align with the KHDA attendance benchmarks, which categorize students as:
- Outstanding/Excellent: 98% (no more than 3 absences)
- Very Good: 96% (up to 7 absences)
- Good: 94% (up to 11 absences)
- Acceptable/Satisfactory: 92% (13–15 absences)
- Weak/Very Weak: Below 92%
“These ratings are reported to parents each term, making expectations transparent,” said Lisa Johnson, Principal of the American Academy for Girls. The school also uses rewards such as assemblies, certificates, and incentives to encourage punctuality.
Flexible Learning Options for Unique Cases
The Rahhal programme, approved by KHDA, offers flexible learning pathways for students with unique needs. “This allows us to support students who may not be able to attend daily while safeguarding their academic progress,” Johnson added.
Appeals and Exemptions for Genuine Absences
School leaders clarified that parents can appeal attendance penalties in legitimate cases.
Neetha Shetty, Principal of Al Diyafah High School, explained:
“Absences without valid reasons will have consequences, from warnings to parent meetings, and, in extreme cases, affect the child’s continuation at school. However, parents may appeal with proper documentation, such as medical certificates. Requests are reviewed fairly, sometimes with KHDA consultation, to protect both academic standards and student wellbeing.”
