Welcome back to Lawgical with Ludmila, where we untangle the legal knots so you don’t have to.
I’m Ludmila Yamalova, a U.S.-qualified lawyer based in Dubai. In each episode, we break down complex laws into clear, practical insights you can actually use.
In this episode, we’re diving into the latest buzz in the UAE education space — the new school attendance protocol that’s been featured widely across national news outlets.
You might have seen headlines such as:
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“Ministry approves new attendance and absence guidelines.”
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“Students may repeat the academic year after 15 unexcused absences.”
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“Absences before or after holidays now count double.”
These headlines sound alarming, and naturally, many parents have panicked — especially in a country where over 90% of families are expats. Come holiday season, most travel home, often requiring multi-day trips. And now, as we approach the Christmas holidays, this topic hits particularly close to home.
Let’s unpack what this all actually means.
Understanding the Source
All of these reports refer to the Ministry of Education (MOE), citing an allegedly issued circular from September 1, 2025, approving the Procedural Guide for Attendance and Absence for 2025–2026 for government schools.
However, none of these news articles cite a specific circular or circular number. So, let’s start from the beginning — what is the MOE, and how does it actually work?
The Ministry of Education (MOE)
The MOE is the UAE’s federal authority overseeing public education and national curriculum schools. It sets federal policies, including:
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National curricula
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Teacher licensing standards
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Assessment policies
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Attendance and promotion rules
The MOE issues federal education guides and circulars, such as the Student Assessment Policy Guide, which outlines national standards for grading and attendance.
However, education in the UAE also operates under local authorities — and that’s where things get interesting.
KHDA: Dubai’s Education Regulator
In Dubai, private and international schools are regulated by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
KHDA operates under the Dubai government and not under the MOE. It regulates nurseries, schools, and universities across curricula — UK, IB, U.S., Indian, and others.
While KHDA aligns with federal education goals, it retains autonomy to interpret or adapt MOE directives to fit Dubai’s private school system.
Think of it this way: The MOE sets the national rules of the game. KHDA decides how to play them in Dubai.
In Summary
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Government schools → Directly governed by MOE
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Private schools outside Dubai → Also under MOE or local education zones reporting to it
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Private schools in Dubai → Governed by KHDA, which may adopt or adapt MOE policies
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Abu Dhabi schools → Governed by ADEC (Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge), the capital’s equivalent of KHDA
Tracing the Circular: Fact vs. Fiction
Media outlets such as Al-Ittihad, Gulf News, Khaleej Times, and Gulf Today all referred to an “MOE circular” — yet none provided a circular number or published document.
After extensive research, no such circular has been found on official MOE portals as of late October 2025.
What does exist, however, is the Student Assessment Policy Guide for 2025–2026, which appears to be the real document behind the headlines.
So, despite references to a circular, there is no official attendance-specific circular published by the MOE.
What the Guide Actually Says
The Student Assessment Policy Guide primarily deals with student evaluation and promotion criteria, not attendance enforcement.
The only relevant reference appears in the promotion section for Grades 4 and above:
“The student will be promoted to the next grade if:
They achieve at least 50% in all Group A subjects.
They do not exceed 15 unexcused absences, separate or consecutive.
Unexcused absences on Fridays, or the two days before or after holidays, and during the last two weeks of Term 2 are counted as two absences per day.”
If a student fails either condition — grades or attendance — they must repeat the grade.
This same clause appears across multiple grade levels, but nowhere does the document present an independent attendance protocol section.
So… Is This a New Law?
No.
This is not a new law.
It’s an updated guide, not a legally binding circular. The terminology may have caused confusion, but guides like this are advisory in nature.
Legal hierarchy in the UAE looks like this:
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Law
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Decree
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Regulation
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Circular
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Guide / Policy
A “guide” lacks the binding legal weight of a circular. It offers direction — not enforcement.
What It Means for Dubai Parents
Here’s where most listeners’ concerns lie:
The MOE guide does not directly apply to private or international schools in Dubai, unless the KHDA specifically adopts it.
KHDA’s focus is on attendance rates, not penalties.
Its performance benchmarks are:
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98% attendance – Outstanding
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96% – Very Good
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94% – Good
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92% – Acceptable
Below 92%, schools must intervene — but there’s no mention of double-counting absences or referring parents to authorities after 15 unexcused days.
Each school drafts its own attendance policy under KHDA oversight, often allowing flexibility for family travel or international exams.
Where the “Referral” Idea Comes From
Some reports claim that parents could be referred to authorities for excessive absences.
This does not originate from the MOE guide. It comes from the Wadeema Law — the Federal Child Protection Law.
This law allows intervention if a child is deliberately deprived of education, as that’s considered child neglect.
The purpose isn’t punishment; it’s protection. The law ensures that every child in the UAE has access to education and that parents meet their responsibility to send children to school.
Final Takeaway
At the heart of these guidelines lies good intent — ensuring consistent education and reducing chronic absenteeism.
So, if you’re a parent worried about a family trip during the holidays:
Don’t panic.
Your child’s school policy — especially if it’s a KHDA-regulated school — is likely based on KHDA’s flexible, student-focused standards rather than MOE’s public-school rules.
In Conclusion
This isn’t about policing families.
It’s about maintaining consistent learning standards and accountability.
Key takeaway:
Understand who governs your child’s school and which policies actually apply.
When in doubt, always refer to your school’s own attendance handbook — not just media headlines.
That’s all for this episode of Lawgical with Ludmila.
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Until next time — stay informed, stay safe, and keep things Lawgical.
