Now, students who miss five consecutive days without a valid explanation will be reported by private schools in Dubai. This is under new rules that have been designed to identify children who might be at risk. The rule of private schools reporting to authorities is a part of the requirements as introduced by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, and here’s all about it.
KHDA Introduces Rule For Student Absences
As per the requirements introduced by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, schools must alert authorities when unexplained absences account for 10% or more of the students’ school days in a term. This measure has been introduced as part of the KHDA’s policy framework for safeguarding and learner protection.
Basically, it places greater responsibility on educational institutions. This way, they can identify potential threats to a student’s safety and well-being. As revealed by The National News, schools must not wait until the reporting threshold is reached. This is especially true if there are concerns about a child being at risk.
Schools To Keep An Accurate Attendance Record
The report mentions how the staff must act immediately. They must refer the matter to the designated safeguarding lead of the school. As it happens, this framework makes it necessary for the schools to keep an accurate attendance record. They must also investigate repeated or unexplained absences while looking for patterns that may indicate a student needing additional support or protection.
With stricter attendance monitoring for vulnerable students at schools, this would allow staff to intervene before they end up missing five consecutive days or reach the 10% threshold.
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Institutions Must Monitor Repeated Absences
Institutions must also monitor repeated absences during the school day. This includes frequent visits to the bathroom or the clinic at school; as per the procedures, educational institutions must have written procedures. These would set out the process that the staff must follow in case the pupil is not accounted for during the day. Moreover, these incidents can be escalated immediately to safeguarding personnel and school leaders.
The aim of this rule is to ensure that absence is not just treated in an administrative or disciplinary manner, but as an early warning sign that a child may be experiencing difficulties.
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FAQs
What is the full form of KHDA?
The full form of KHDA is the Knowledge and Human Development Authority.
What must private schools do if a student takes five consecutive days of leave without a valid explanation?
According to a new rule by the KHDA, schools must alert authorities if there is an unexplained absence for 10% or more of a student's school days in a term.
