The growing trend of students skipping school on Fridays and in the days leading up to public holidays has been raised at the Federal National Council (FNC), prompting renewed calls for accountability and stricter enforcement of attendance rules.
During a council session on Wednesday, FNC member Dr Moza Al Shehhi questioned the Ministry of Education about what she described as “mass absences” ahead of public holidays, warning that the pattern is hurting both academic standards and social values in schools.
In response, Minister of Education Sarah Al Amiri said the ministry has rolled out a series of measures to curb absenteeism, describing a “qualitative shift” in attendance during the first term of the current academic year.
According to ministry data presented to the council, overall attendance during the first term reached 94.7 per cent, while 86 per cent of students recorded full attendance — a significant jump from just 3.8 per cent previously.
Al Amiri highlighted Ministerial Resolution No. 79 of 2025, which standardizes attendance and absence procedures in government schools. The resolution strengthens disciplinary measures, activates electronic attendance tracking, and ensures instant notifications are sent to parents when students are absent.
A comprehensive attendance and absence management guide for the 2025–2026 academic year has also been issued, setting the maximum limit for unjustified absences at 15 days per school year.
As part of stricter enforcement, absences on Fridays and on days before public holidays are now counted as double. Students who exceed the permitted absence threshold may have their report cards withheld, while parents are required to sign written commitments. Persistent cases may be reviewed individually and referred to child protection authorities if necessary.
FNC Speaker Saqr Ghobash stressed that responsibility extends beyond schools. “From the start, who allowed the student to be absent?” he asked, emphasizing that parents play a critical role in ensuring consistent attendance.
The issue forms part of broader national efforts to strengthen discipline and improve educational outcomes across the UAE.
