Students risk repeating year after more than 15 unexcused absences in UAE schools

The Ministry of Education has approved the attendance and absence procedural guide for the 2025/26 academic year, emphasising that regular attendance is essential for academic success and achievement.

The guide includes controls and procedures designed to enhance discipline and commitment on school campuses, and to reduce unjustified absences.

According to the recent guidelines, a warning system is activated after one day of unexcused absence and concludes with referring the student's file, along with the guardian, to the competent authorities and external child protection entities after 15 days.

It further stipulates activation of an instant notification system to inform parents immediately of their children's absence.

A student's absence is counted as two days if it falls on Fridays or on the days preceding or following official holidays.

The maximum limit for unexcused absences is 5 days per term and 15 days per academic year. If unexcused absences exceed 15 days by the end of the school year, the student may be required to repeat the entire academic year, according to the attendance and absence procedural guide for the 2025/26 academic year.