Parents, here’s what you need to know about the new rules in Abu Dhabi schools
ADEK, the Abu Dhabi authority on Education and Knowledge, have released new rules on attendance in schools.
Starting with immediate effect, the rules around excused, unexcused and medical absences have changed.
New school absence rules in Abu Dhabi
What are excused absences in Abu Dhabi schools now?
For your child to be excused from school, one of these requirements needs to be met:
- Illness
- Emergency medical appointments
- Family loss (1st or 2nd degree relative)
- Official duties
- Competitions/events
- Government public holidays
- Study/exam leave (defined as a “period of absence that is authorized by the school for students to study for examinations”)
- Government-mandated closures
What about unexcused absences?
Unexcused absences now are as follow:
- Family holidays during school days
- Staying home without notifying the school
- Non-emergency medical appointments
- Non-severe weather
Rules for medical absences
Parents can now excuse their children from school for medical reasons for a maximum of three consecutive days, and a limit of 12 days per year.
For any period longer than that, parents will be required to obtain a sick leave certificate issued by the Department of Health.
What happens when your child misses school
Regardless of whether an absence is excused or unexcused, pupils must catch up on any school work missed, including tests.
When a student in grades one to 12 is absent for more than five per cent (nine days) of school, they will be flagged as a “concern”. In nursery, this goes up to 10 per cent (18 days).
Visit adek.gov.ae for more information.
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