Dubai private schools are required under new student protection regulations to report cases to education authorities if a student is absent without a valid reason for five consecutive days, or if their cumulative unexplained absences in a term reach 10% of instructional days.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has made this requirement mandatory under its new Learner Protection and Safeguarding Policy, identifying attendance monitoring as part of the early detection process for risks that could affect students’ safety or well-being.

Under the framework, schools must submit a report as soon as either threshold is reached. For the 10% threshold, it does not matter whether the absences are consecutive or spread throughout the term.

However, the KHDA has stressed that if a student’s absence raises an immediate concern about their safety, the school must act before either threshold is reached.

Education institutions must also establish written attendance policies appropriate to students’ ages, learning methods and the type of education provided.

They must maintain accurate attendance records, investigate repeated or unexplained absences, and identify any patterns suggesting that a student may need additional support or protection.

Staff must immediately report any attendance-related concern indicating that a student may be at risk to the institution’s designated safeguarding lead.

Schools may set lower absence-reporting thresholds for students with known vulnerabilities to enable early intervention where necessary.

For students under the age of 18, schools must follow up on absences with their parents, guardians or carers.

For students aged 18 and above, schools should generally contact the student directly. Their family may be informed only with the student’s consent or where there is a risk of harm to the student or others.

Under the policy, education institutions must record and document attempts to contact the student and their family, as well as any safeguarding measures taken.

If contacting the family could increase the risk to the student, the safeguarding lead must determine an appropriate alternative method of follow-up.

Different rules for universities and early childhood centres

The threshold of five consecutive days of absence or 10% of instructional days does not automatically apply to universities or technical and vocational education institutions.

These institutions must establish their own attendance thresholds based on semester structures, courses, credit hours and study arrangements such as part-time, evening or distance learning.

Early childhood centres must calculate each child’s absence based on the days for which the child is enrolled to attend. For example, if a child attends the centre three days a week, their absence must be assessed against those three days.

Immediate action when a student’s whereabouts are unknown

Under the framework, all education institutions must have clear procedures for situations in which a student’s whereabouts are unknown during the school day.

Such cases require an immediate response and, depending on the circumstances, must be referred to safeguarding officers, school leaders, parents and relevant authorities.

Institutions must also develop written guidelines for handling such cases and assess the effectiveness of these procedures during the 12-month implementation period.

The requirements also apply to student boarding facilities. Institutions with boarding accommodation must appoint a residential safeguarding lead and a deputy when the framework takes effect.

Boarding schools must also finalise arrangements for supervision outside regular school hours, visitor access controls and risk assessments within 12 months.

Existing boarding staff must complete Level 2 safeguarding training for higher-risk settings within three months.

The KHDA has emphasised that attendance monitoring forms part of a broader student safeguarding system designed to identify potential risks early and ensure students receive appropriate support and care.