Schools must report students who are absent for five consecutive days

Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has mandated that private schools in the emirate report unexplained student absences when a student misses five consecutive days or when intermittent absences reach 10% of the total school days in a term. The requirement forms part of the Student Safety and Protection Policy framework, which links attendance monitoring to the early identification of potential risks to students.

The KHDA indicated that reaching either threshold requires a report. Any indication that a student may be at risk, however, must be addressed immediately, even before an absence threshold is reached.

All educational institutions must establish written attendance policies suited to their educational sector, students’ age groups, and modes of study. They must also maintain reliable attendance and absence records and analyse patterns of frequent or unexplained absence to identify cases requiring intervention.

The authority stressed that staff responsibilities go beyond tracking absences. Staff must immediately notify the designated student protection coordinator or officer whenever concerns arise about a student’s safety, without waiting for the formal absence threshold to be met.

Institutions may also set lower, individualised absence thresholds for students known to be at greater risk, enabling earlier intervention based on each student’s circumstances.

Rules for students under 18 and above

For students under 18, institutions must follow up on absences with parents, guardians, or caregivers. For students aged 18 and above, communication should be directed to the students themselves. Consent and confidentiality requirements must be considered before involving their families, except where there is a risk to the safety of the student or others.

The policy clarifies that school absence thresholds do not automatically apply to higher education or vocational education and training institutions. These institutions must establish their own thresholds based on their academic terms, credit hours, and modes of study, including part-time, evening, and distance learning.

For early childhood centres, absences are calculated according to each child’s recorded attendance schedule, rather than through a uniform model applied to all enrolled children.

When a student can't be traced during school hours

The KHDA also requires clear procedures for situations in which a student’s whereabouts cannot be determined during the school day. These must include immediate response protocols and escalation pathways proportionate to the level of risk. A written protocol for such incidents must be developed and tested for effectiveness during the 12-month phased implementation period.

The policy requires institutions to document all attempts to contact a student and their family, along with any actions taken to protect the student. It also recognises that contacting a family may, in some circumstances, increase the risk. In such cases, the designated protection officer is responsible for determining the appropriate intervention.

Attendance and safety requirements also extend to institutions offering boarding or residential facilities. These institutions must appoint a protection officer and a deputy for residential areas from the date of implementation. Arrangements for supervision outside regular hours, visitor access controls, and risk assessments must be fully established within 12 months. Existing residential care staff must also complete specialised level-two training within three months, reflecting the additional preparedness needed to address potential risks in these settings.