Covid-19 in UAE: Students can be absent from online classes only for 6 reasons

Reuters

Abu dhabi - Upon a student’s return to classes, he or she must present a letter signed by a parent or an official document that clarifies the reason for the absence.

Ismail Sebugwaawo

Published: Wed 3 Mar 2021, 8:22 PM

Abu Dhabi students — even if they’re learning from home — must stick to attendance protocols and only six valid excuses are accepted for any absence, education authorities have said.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) recently specified the six valid reasons as: illness; death of a close family member; registered medical appointments; an official community duty; mandatory appearance before authorities; and emergency travel with family.

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Upon a student’s return to classes, he or she must present a letter signed by a parent or an official document that clarifies the reason for the absence.

Private schools must set up an attendance log-in system to monitor the attendance of students learning from home, Adek said.

If a student misses a class without a valid excuse, the school must communicate with parents immediately. The same rule applies when a pupil’s absence rate reaches 10 per cent of school days.

Parents, on the other hand, must notify schools about any pre-planned absence and present required documents as proof, the authorities said.

Teachers and administrative staff have been urged to adhere to the working hours set for a school calendar.

Employees may continue to work remotely, if they suffer from any health problems. They must present a medical certificate that confirms their health condition.

“A school staff must inform the school in advance about their absence, if possible, to ensure that the students’ education process is not interrupted,” said Adek.

According to the school reopening policy, teachers and administrative staff must stay at home when they’re not feeling well or if they are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms. Those who are sick will not be allowed to enter the school premises. An employee must submit a medical report in order to be allowed to return to work and enter the campus after their absence.

EXCUSES THAT ARE CONSIDERED VALID ARE:

>Illness

>Death of a close family member

>Registered medical appointments

>An official community duty

>Mandatory appearance before authorities

>Emergency travel with family.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com